As the NHL off-season unfolds, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves at the center of trade speculation, with veteran defenseman Mike Matheson emerging as a hot topic of conversation. Once a key piece on the blue line, Matheson’s future with the Canadiens now appears uncertain following a series of roster changes and the rise of promising young talent.

Amid swirling rumors and expert predictions, the former Penguins defenseman’s name has quickly gained traction on the trade market, drawing attention from teams eager to bolster their defensive depth. With respected journalists hinting at a potentially significant return for Montreal, the situation has injected fresh intrigue into an otherwise quiet off-season.

As fans and analysts alike debate Matheson’s true value and what his departure could mean for the Canadiens’ future, all eyes remain fixed on Montreal, waiting to see if management will pull the trigger on a deal that could reshape the team’s playoff ambitions.

Mike Matheson with the Montreal Canadiens.

Photo credit: NHLPA

Mike Matheson appears to be expendable in Montreal, and now, a top journalist has revealed just how valuable the former Penguins defenseman is on the market.

While we had some early trades this off-season, there hasn’t been as much movement in recent weeks, and even through all of the speculation, we’re yet to see a trade of any substance for quite some time.

There is plenty of speculation still around players like Bowen Byram, Rasmus Andersson, Nick Robertson and other intriguing names, but one that is perhaps drawing just as much interest is former Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson.

The Quebec native played for Pittsburgh between 2020 and 2022, and has spent the last three years with the Montreal Canadiens, playing in 162 regular season games with the team during that span.

Now however, with the emergence of Lane Huston and the arrival of Noah Dobson in a blockbuster trade, there’s not as much need for Matheson on the Canadiens blue line, with speculation raging that he could be on the way out.

While most see him as a depth defenseman at 31-years of age that could net a solid return, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette believes there could be more in store for Montreal in a trade, predicting that Matheson could land them a huge return.

“He might get them the 2nd line center”

Given the current trade market, absolutely anything is possible, and if he were able to net the team a second-line centre, it would fill their biggest remaining need as they look to become a genuine playoff threat.

Ultimately though, that appears to potentially overvaluing a depth defenseman that has a combined -30 differential over those two years, but after a career high 61 points in 2023/24, absolutely anything is possible.