Matheson Commits to Montreal for the Long Haul
So, here’s what’s been making waves in Montreal hockey circles today. Mike Matheson, one of the true anchors of the Canadiens’ blue line throughout their rebuilding years, has officially committed to staying in Montreal for another five seasons. The news was confirmed just hours before the team’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, and it’s already being talked about as one of the smartest long-term moves the organization has made.
Matheson signed a five-year deal worth a total of 30 million dollars, which works out to an average of 6 million per year. And honestly, that number has surprised a lot of people—not because it’s too high, but because he easily could’ve gotten more on the open market. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and given the level he’s been playing at, a bigger payday during free agency seemed almost guaranteed. But he chose stability. He chose home. And he chose to stay with the team he grew up watching.
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What makes this deal even better for the Canadiens is how it fits into their bigger picture. The salary cap is expected to keep rising over the next few years, which means Matheson’s contract will actually take up a smaller chunk of the team’s cap than his previous deal did. Add that to the fact that Montreal now has its entire top defensive core locked in until at least 2031, with guys like Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle also secured long-term, and it’s clear the team is building something with real staying power.
Matheson’s path to Montreal feels like a full-circle moment too. Born in Pointe-Claire, he arrived in 2022 through a trade with Pittsburgh, and since then, he hasn’t just played well—he’s elevated himself into one of the team’s most reliable and productive defensemen. In his first season with the Canadiens, even after missing 34 games due to injuries, he still led the team’s defense in points. The following season, he exploded for 62 points, one of the top offensive seasons any Habs defenseman has had in decades.
Over time, his role shifted. Younger offensive talents came in, and Matheson took on more defensive responsibility. Despite that, he remains one of the most heavily used players in the entire league, regularly playing 25 minutes a night, often without power-play time. He’s trusted against top opponents, he kills penalties at a relentless pace, and since 2023-24, only Dallas’s Esa Lindell has logged more penalty-kill minutes.
What really stands out, though, is what this signing says about Matheson himself. He clearly believes in the direction the Canadiens are heading. Experts are even calling this the “Black Friday bargain” of the year, saying he left millions on the table simply because he wanted to stay in Montreal and be part of this group as it grows into a contender.
For a young team trying to rise again, having a veteran leader like Matheson commit long-term isn’t just good news—it’s a sign that the belief inside the room is real.
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