How the Habs Should Use Mike Matheson This Upcoming Season

  With Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson both being left-handed defensemen who are growing their games and are ready for big minutes, Matheson may be playing only 18-20 minutes per game for the first time since being traded to Montreal. Also, with the acquisition of Dobson, the Habs won’t rely on Matheson as much for offense.   Matheson has proven that he can be a good defensive presence when he focuses on that part of his game, as seen from his penalty kill work. The coaches may need to work with him so he can avoid making those bad turnovers, but it can be worked around if his role is to play a defensive game.   

If at training camp, the coaches discuss a role change for Matheson, he seems like the type of player who would be willing to embrace whatever role the Habs give him. The role should consist of Matheson skating the puck out of the zone and looking to make an outlet pass rather than trying to carry it up himself or depending on his defensive partner, letting them carry the puck up instead. Knowing the way the Habs like to roll out their pairings, it is very likely that Matheson will play with either Dobson or Hutson to start the year. With those guys, there is no reason for Matheson to try playing hero puck. The fact that he played with Dobson at this year’s World Championships makes me believe the Habs brass may put the two defensemen together to start training camp.    

There is a chance he could be playing on a 3rd pairing with either Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier or Arber Xhekaj, which would probably be the best way to spread out the puck-moving defensemen, but the Habs seem to really like Matheson in the top 4.    

In the case of Matheson going down to the 3rd pairing, I’d make it balanced so that all six defenseman get close to the same ice time. My pairings would be the following:   Guhle-Dobson Hutson-Struble Matheson-Carrier   

With these pairings, you can run all three at any time of the game, and not worry. Sure, the Hutson-Struble pairing would be the one most sheltered by starting in the offensive zone, but both guys proved to play their best 5-on-5 hockey together last season. As a result, it would likely push Matheson down to play with Carrier when everyone is healthy. Those two seem to have had chemistry at times during this past season. Therefore, it would all work in the long run.   

Who do you think Matheson should be paired with to start this upcoming season?