Sometimes when teams give players extensions or new contracts the AAV doesn’t age well. Based on how the prices for defenseman have soared, Mike Matheson’s contract is probably below market value for next season.
Next year is the last year of his deal. First off, he’s averaged 25:02 TOI this season. That’s solid and in his last two games he exceeded that. Last game he played a crazy 31:46 against the Nashville Predators. He’s been very reliable and he’s already played in 75 games. Not bad at all. I think he will play in 80 this year and you can’t ask for much more than that.
His 160 blocks are impressive. It’s a solid number and he’s led the team before. He is earning his pay and he puts some points on the board too. Going down the stretch he’s going to be a big part of the defense to keep the team in it game in and game out.
Would I sign Matheson in 2026? I would and I’ll tell you why. He’s not too old. He already likes playing in Montreal and has had no problem performing. Those are two big factors. If he takes a four-year deal, which would then give him a chance at another contract after that? Done, good defenseman are hard to find. Defensemen who fit your coaches system are even harder to find.