The Price Tag for Mike Matheson Has Finally Been Revealed This Summer

His 2023-2024 season, which was his best in terms of points (62) in his career, brought new life not only to his own game but also to the young Canadiens squad at the time.

While his 2024-2025 season didn't live up to expectations offensively (31 points), he did elevate his defensive game.

Not only was he the most heavily used player on the team, but with an average ice time of 25:05 per game, he was also the seventh most-used player in the entire NHL.

But with the rise of the team's young defensemen, one has to wonder: is there still room for Matheson in Montreal?

This fall, Matheson will enter the final season of the 8-year contract he signed in October 2017 while playing for the Florida Panthers.

Currently earning $4.875M per season, he'll likely receive a significant raise on his next deal.

On that note, AFP Analytics - which provides projections for potential contract extensions via the site Capwages - has estimated the value of the veteran defenseman's next contract.

According to their projections, Matheson could earn $6.5 million per season on a 4-year deal. Considering the salary cap is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, that's not bad.

But is committing to another four seasons really logical given the team's current situation?

Kent Hughes and his staff will need to start thinking now about what they want to do with Matheson.

In recent days, I mentioned that he might be Kent Hughes' last major trade chip to acquire a center.

Do you think he'll be traded for that reason?