With his tally of 62 points in the regular season this year, it can be said that Michael Matheson has been solid for Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis.
The optimists will say that number 8 will be a cornerstone of the CH when the team becomes a contender for the playoffs, but there remains a small problem: Michael Matheson will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
It is unknown where the Canadiens will be in their rebuilding process, but the option to trade Matheson will undoubtedly be interesting by then.
Moreover, on this subject, as reported by Habsolumentfan.com, we might get a little idea of his value on the trade market.
A 6th to 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft for Mike Matheson for Kent Hughes?
During a discussion between Mathias Brunet and Martin Lemay on BPM Sports, Brunet revisited the proposal by David Ettedgui, that Kent Hughes could get a pick ranging from the 6th to the 15th overall in the next draft.
However, despite this interesting proposal, it seems that Brunet and Lemay are not on the same page on the subject.
«Sixth overall pick, in a context where you know you're not ready to win the Stanley Cup, you definitely do it! [...] In two years, you have David Reinbacher coming up, you have Lane Hutson who will be there... [...] In any case, Matheson will be free in two years!»
«If you trade Matheson this year, what will your top 3 look like in two years? Because in two years, you want to be in the playoffs and you won't make it with a top 3 without him! [...] He plays 25 minutes per game!»
Let's say that the Matheson file will be one to watch until the end of his contract at the end of the 2025-2026 season, but until then, he will surely still be the pillar of the defensive brigade next season.
