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Mike Matheson wants a new contract in Montreal

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 11:30 PM ET

Mike Matheson isn’t exactly unanimous in Montreal. Some want to get rid of him, while others want to keep him as a role model for youngsters. He earns a salary of $4.875 million a year, a contract which expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The problem is the overload of left-handed defenders in the organization. Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble can all take on a left-hand role. But at the right price, can Kent Hughes afford to keep him and offer him a contract extension?

In any case, Matheson was seen at the combine in Buffalo with Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton. As Radio-Canada’s Marc Antoine Godin reports, these were not official contract negotiations, but the defenseman is keen to extend his stay in Montreal.

Mike Matheson spent about an hour and a half with Gorton and Hughes today in Buffalo. These were not negotiations per se, but Matheson is eligible to sign a new contract on July 1 and would like to come to a new agreement with the Canadiens.

– Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) June 4, 2025

Note that Matheson is only eligible for a contract extension on July 1.

I’ve found Matheson’s treatment far too harsh over the past year. He was often thrown under the bus, when the real culprit was Martin St-Louis. He simply played too much. He’s not a #1 defenseman, but in his role, he can be effective.

Did he have a season? No, but the responsibilities he was given were too great.

If the possible contract under discussion is reasonable, Matheson can be effective in a more self-effacing role. He still has a good skating stroke and can support the forward. He’ll need to do more of that next season.

Overtime

– Here we go for the Stanley Cup Final.

Leading after 20! pic.twitter.com/WI5Mo2JOGW

– x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 5, 2025

– An intriguing prospect.

The Habs won’t be meeting Kashawn Aitcheson this week in Buffalo.

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) June 4, 2025

– His value has been on the rise for the past few months.

I’m told Brady Martin has a lot of poise in interviews so far at the Combine. That he has a lot of repartee when challenged.

His value was already very high after the U18… @TVASports

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) June 4, 2025

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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