Mike Matheson's Role with the Canadiens Could Take a Hit After Latest Roster Shakeup

While some experts predicted he might be traded, Canadiens management seems intent on bringing him back to Montreal this fall.

That said, his role appears to be set for a drastic change.

Matheson has gone from being the quarterback of the top power-play unit, scoring 62 points in 82 games, to a second-unit power-play player putting up 31 points in 82 games.. to someone who will seemingly be removed from the power play altogether. Ouch.

That's what's being reported, and it's also what the site Daily Faceoff seems to believe.

Check out the two projected power-play units.

This would mark the very first time since joining the Montreal Canadiens that Mike Matheson is no longer on the power play.

Even quietly, Matheson still averaged just over two minutes per game on the power play during the 2024-2025 season (3 minutes and 41 seconds the season before).

However, next season could look very different.

All signs point to Matheson losing his spot to Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Cole Caufield, and Patrik Laine.

Personally, I agree with the projected lineup above, and it makes us realize there's likely only one available spot left on the power play in Montreal.

I don't see how guys like Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Patrik Laine, Noah Dobson, or Zachary Bolduc could be bumped off the power play.

I just listed eight names - which leaves two spots - but one of those will go to a net-front presence, like Brendan Gallagher or Josh Anderson.

That leaves only Alex Newhook's spot potentially available - possibly for a player like Kirby Dach or maybe a new summer acquisition.