Canadiens lock up Mike Matheson long term, and it quietly closes one door for the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The Montreal Canadiens extended defender Mike Matheson to a five-year extension on Friday, which means it leaves one less target for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mike Matheson agreed to a five-year extension with the Canadiens, as reported Friday.
The contract will have an annual AAV of $6-million per season as per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
It's a deal that will see Matheson in Montreal until he's 36, and for a player who is so vital to both the team's offense and defense -- it's a wise investment from GM Kent Hughes.
But it also leaves their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, with one less target who could add the piece they've been missing.
Matheson is the type of puck-moving defenseman the Leafs have struggled to acquire, and leaves them looking elsewhere.
Why Mike Matheson is exactly the type of defenseman Toronto keeps chasing
Matheson has been a crucial part of the Canadiens defense since joining the team in 2022, and has really stepped up his offensive game since his early days.
In 232 games with the Habs he's posted 141 points, 482 blocks, and 158 PIM while logging an impressive 25:06 TOI.
He's also one of their main puck-movers besides Lane Hutson, and is only two seasons removed from an 11-goal, 62-point season while logging heavy minutes on both special teams units.
Besides Morgan Rielly, the Maple Leafs don't really have anyone else and have had to depend on Oliver Ekman-Larsson -- who granted; has been very good this year, and waiver pickup Troy Stecher.
Toronto has been searching for a two-way defender and with Matheson a free agent up to this point, he may have been viewed as a potential option in the future.
What Montreal's bet on Matheson highlights about the Leafs' situation
The Canadiens aren't messing around when it comes to ensuring they keep their core around, and to keep him for a relatively fair price is just a bonus for Montreal.
While Toronto has been able to keep names like John Tavares and Matthew Knies around for cheap, they are also committing a lot of money elsewhere limiting their ability to make other deals.
Right now, the team is loaded with big, heavy, shutdown-style defenders like Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe; and while that's worked in the past, they lack someone who can lead from the back, and have scrambled to try and find some solution.
Montreal knows that Matheson works within their system, meanwhile names like Carlo don't look like they fit with the Maple Leafs. It's as if there's a bit of a disconnect between what the GM wants and the team needs.
With one less FA on the market, Toronto has to pursue either potential other free agents, or go about a trade involving a high-end puck mover on the blueline.
That won't come cheap, and if they don't make a move soon they are going to keep losing out as players sign extensions or get traded elsewhere.
With every player taken off the board, that makes Brad Treliving's job even more difficult, and with the amount of pressure being put on him -- what he does next could make or break his legacy with the Maple Leafs.
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