Trading Mike Matheson might seem like a crazy idea at first. After all, he’s a Montreal native, a key acquisition by GM Kent Hughes in the Jeff Petry trade, and he carries a very manageable $4.875 million cap hit through next season. His skating ability is elite, and with David Savard likely on the move by the trade deadline, Matheson is one of only two veteran defensemen on the Canadiens’ blue line. So why would Montreal consider moving him?
The reasons to keep Matheson are compelling, but let’s take a closer look at the case for trading him:
- Lane Hutson is showing NHL readiness and has already begun to take Matheson’s spot on the first power-play unit.
- The Canadiens boast a surplus of young left-handed defensemen: Matheson, Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, and Jayden Struble, with Adam Engström developing in Laval.
- Matheson had a career-best 11 goals and 62 points last season and is pacing for another solid 46-point campaign.
- His next contract is guaranteed to demand a significant raise.
- He’ll turn 31 in February, making his value peak now.
The main argument against moving Matheson is his experience. However, Kaiden Guhle has stepped up as a stabilizing presence since shifting back to his natural left side, giving Montreal more confidence in their young blue line, in this his third season in the NHL. Under Martin St-Louis, the defense has found its footing after a rough start, even if Matheson has struggled more after being moved to the right side.
Trade Options
In yesterday’s article, we explored potential trade targets for the Canadiens to address their need for a veteran right-handed defenseman. Today, we take a closer look at a few of those options, including possible trade destinations for Mike Matheson and why certain teams could be an ideal fit for the veteran blueliner.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames seem like a natural trade partner. Their right side is strong with Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar, but their left side lacks depth, forcing Kevin Bahl into heavy minutes. A Matheson-Andersson swap makes sense: both players carry similar cap hits (Matheson at $4.875 million, Andersson at $4.55 million), have one year remaining to their contract after this season, and both offer top-four reliability. This trade would balance both teams’ defensive pairings without compromising their salary structure.
Philadelphia Flyers
Another intriguing option is the Philadelphia Flyers. Rasmus Ristolainen, a 30-year-old right-handed defenseman, reportedly is on the trade block. He averages over 20 minutes per game and has two years left on his $5.1 million contract, aligning well with the Canadiens’ need to bridge the gap until Logan Mailloux or David Reinbacher are ready for top-four roles.
In this scenario, Matheson would slot into a more suitable role on the Flyers’ second pair behind Travis Sanheim. The Flyers have Jamie Drysdale on the right who also plays over 20 minutes a game, but a larger trade package involving Justin Barron could further sweeten the deal, making it mutually beneficial.
Creative Alternatives
As Kent Hughes demonstrated during the 2022 Draft by orchestrating a multi-move deal to land Kirby Dach, there’s always the possibility of accomplishing this goal through multiple trades. We know that the price for a veteran right-shot defenseman would be high. For this example, let’s say that the Canadiens had to sacrificed Kirby Dach to land that elusive key piece on the right side, it would leave a gaping hole at the center position.
In such a case, a second trade could involve the New York Rangers, whose left side is thin while Adam Fox drives offense from the right. After trading Jacob Trouba, the Rangers lack a right-handed defenseman to offer in return, but they do have intriguing young forwards like centerman Filip Chytil and winger Kaapo Kakko who could fill other needs for Montreal.
For instance, trading Matheson for a package including Chytil would address the Canadiens’ center depth, particularly in the absence of Kirby Dach. If Alex Newhook were to be included in a deal, Kakko could be part of the return. The options are flexible, and Hughes has shown creativity in managing assets.
Big Picture Asset Management
If trading Matheson allows the Canadiens to acquire a top-four right-handed defenseman—whether directly or through multiple trades—it would represent smart asset management. Montreal’s young core is solid on the left side of the defense, and Matheson’s value on the trade market will likely never be higher.
Players like Seth Jones (Chicago), Damon Severson (Columbus), and Kris Letang (Pittsburgh) are other veteran right-handed options, while someone like Simon Nemec (New Jersey) could provide future insurance if David Reinbacher’s development timeline is impacted by his serious injury.
Conclusion
Trading Mike Matheson is a tough decision, but it’s one that could pay long-term dividends for the Montreal Canadiens. By leveraging their strength on the left side, the team could address its glaring need for a veteran right-handed defenseman or acquire young, impactful forwards to bolster their lineup. With Kent Hughes at the helm, the Canadiens have the flexibility and creativity to make a bold move that aligns with their rebuild timeline. Now is the time to consider turning Matheson’s value into assets that will help shape Montreal’s future.
