Mike Matheson is more likely to leave the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent rather than being traded. Since joining the team, Matheson has established himself as a strong offensive defenseman, demonstrated by his 62 points in 82 games last season, along with three points in his first four games this year. Despite his trade value being high, moving him during the team’s rebuild would be too risky, given the Canadiens’ need for his experience on a young squad.
While players like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle are expected to step up eventually, they are not ready yet. The Canadiens want to start winning games, so trading Matheson doesn’t make sense at this point.
Sports commentators Mathias Brunet and Martin Lemay recently discussed this situation on BPM Sports, agreeing that the Canadiens are likely to hold onto Matheson through his current contract, even if it means losing him as a free agent in 2026.
Matheson, earning $4.875 million per year for the next two seasons, holds significant value as an offensive defenseman, both on the market and within the team. However, his “use value” to the Canadiens is currently higher than what they could gain in a trade. There isn’t another defenseman on the roster who can fill Matheson’s role, and expecting younger players like Hutson and Guhle to take over right away is unrealistic. As the Canadiens aim to compete, veterans like Matheson are essential for winning games.
While general manager Kent Hughes could secure a good return for Matheson now, the defenseman’s value to the team may increase if the Canadiens start winning. The big question is whether the Canadiens will extend his contract for the 2026-27 season, but it’s too early to predict if his value will match the hefty deal he’s likely to seek.
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