The Montreal Canadiens usually are not taking part in their finest hockey proper now. However additionally they aren’t sitting again on their palms. With just a few veterans on the blueline, corresponding to Mike Matheson, Montreal added veteran depth on Wednesday night time. The Canadiens traded for Alexandre Provider in a take care of the Nashville Predators.
Montreal has an entire host of younger gamers on its roster at the moment. And the Canadiens are high-quality with this given their rebuilding standing. Montreal is seventh within the Atlantic Division, nevertheless. They wished to be extra aggressive this season. The Canadiens even traded for Patrik Laine over the summer time to assist obtain that purpose.
Thus far, the outcomes have been combined. Some pundits have ripped the Canadiens for regressing this 12 months. However they’ve additionally turned in some very promising performances. It is exhausting to get a gauge of whether or not the regression is actual or a mirage.
What we are able to safely say concerning the Canadiens is that they’re unlikely to push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This crew merely will not be prepared for the grind of postseason hockey. In consequence, the Habs are prone to commerce a few veterans with a purpose to stockpile future belongings. There may be one veteran participant particularly who must be traded sooner fairly than later.
Mike Matheson could have reached his peak commerce worth
Mike Matheson was a little bit of a shocking shiny spot for the Canadiens in 2023-24. The veteran defenseman was restricted to 48 video games throughout his debut season in Montreal. However final season noticed him skate a full 82 video games whereas placing up some career-best numbers.
Matheson scored 11 targets and 62 factors for Montreal in 2023-24. It marked the primary time since 2017-18 that Matheson scored 10 or extra targets. And his 62 factors broke his earlier profession excessive of 34, which he set throughout his 48 video games with the Habs in 2022-23.
Matheson has performed properly sufficient in 2024-25. Nevertheless, it is clear that his offensive manufacturing has come again right down to Earth. The truth is, he has simply two targets in 29 video games so far within the season. Moreover, seven of his 16 factors have come on the facility play.
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The Canadiens defenseman nonetheless gives some offensive worth to his crew. As an illustration, he has the very best Objectives For Per 60 Minutes at 5v5 amongst Montreal defenders, in accordance with Evolving Hockey. Matheson additionally has the second-highest Fenwick For Proportion and Corsi For Proportion at 5v5.
There are definitely groups on the market who need some offense from the purpose. In consequence, it would not be a shock to see Matheson’s identify in commerce rumors because the NHL Commerce Deadline will get nearer. However the Canadiens rearguard is beneath contract by way of subsequent season. Moreover, he has an eight-team no commerce clause. It isn’t the simplest transfer to make by any means.
The Canadiens may very well be tempted to attend earlier than pulling the set off on a Mike Matheson commerce. Maybe they wait till the offseason when the cap goes up and extra groups can match his almost $5 million cap hit into their books. Nevertheless, ready to make this transfer might show pricey for Montreal.
Matheson is a high-quality participant who definitely brings worth to his crew. In saying this, he could have already reached his peak commerce worth. The Canadiens ought to work to clear any hurdles stopping a deal. And when a proposal comes throughout they discover acceptable, they need to not hesitate to finalize a commerce.