NHL Rumors: Canadiens' Analyst Dismisses Mike Matheson Trade Rumors

Recent trade rumors surrounding Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson have sparked debate about his future with the team. 

With the 30-year-old leading the Canadiens in average ice time at 24:22 per game and regularly facing opponents' top lines, some fans see him as a valuable trade chip who could bring a strong return. 

However, Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette has dismissed the idea of moving Matheson, stressing his critical role in the development of the Canadiens' young defense corps. 

"You can’t buy experience," Cowan quoted head coach Martin St. Louis, emphasizing Matheson’s value as a mentor for rookies like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle, who benefit from his composure on and off the ice.

WOW.

Mike Matheson with an early goal-of-the-year candidate.

End-to-end beauty. pic.twitter.com/MLJLiz5bSf

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) October 25, 2023

Cowan pointed out that trading Matheson would disrupt the Canadiens' rebuilding plans by depriving their younger defensemen of a steady, experienced presence. 

He explained that Matheson helps shelter less experienced players from overly challenging matchups, creating an environment conducive to their growth. 

While rookies like Hutson have shown moments of brilliance, Cowan noted the importance of pairing them with veterans to ensure balanced development. 

“There are some nights Hutson has been better than Matheson and other nights he hasn’t,” Cowan said, reinforcing the need for experienced blueliners to guide their progression.

Holy moly, Mike Matheson! 🤩

What a stellar shorthanded goal! pic.twitter.com/NnNakizMy1

— NHL (@NHL) March 25, 2024

The recent addition of Alexandre Carrier from Nashville may help ease Matheson’s workload, allowing younger players to step into larger roles. 

However, Cowan believes the Canadiens are unlikely to move Matheson, especially given the struggles of relying on a defense group dominated by youth. 

“We’ve seen this season how difficult it is to play—and win—with four or five young defensemen in the lineup,” Cowan said, noting Matheson’s importance as a stabilizing force.

Photo Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images