Montreal Canadiens Ought to Attempt to Hold Mike Matheson Lengthy-Time period
Anthony Di Marco of Day by day Faceoff joined TSN Radio in Montreal and was requested about what the Montreal Canadiens will do with defenseman Mike Matheson. Wouldn’t it be clever for Montreal to maintain him round with a nonetheless very younger defence corps?
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Host: “Look, we had a protracted dialog about Mike Matheson yesterday, and we’re going to simply proceed it after we hit Habs lunch once more right this moment, as a result of he’s bought a yr left on his contract. And we have been simply suggesting, it’s just like the query, would you prolong him? Would you not prolong him with all these younger weapons arising with Montreal? It’s an fascinating query.”
Anthony Di Marco: “I assume it comes all the way down to the greenback’s worth, proper? As a result of I take a look at Montreal’s protection long run, and for me, it’s Lane Hutson, primary, Kaiden Guhle quantity two, on the left aspect of that blue line. And look, you need to actually do a deep dive into Kaiden Guhle’s harm state of affairs. He’s at all times been type of an uphill battle for him so far as his well being goes.
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However Mike Matheson could be like the proper elder statesman for an in any other case very younger blue line. You’re going to imagine that Hutson shall be with Dobson. Ultimately, you’re hoping that (David) Reinbacher steps right into a second pair function with Kaiden Guhle, however past that, like positive, you’ve gotten Arber Xhekaj who might problem for that third defensive slot on the third pair’s left aspect.
However just like the numbers recreation, for me, doesn’t actually sound all too encouraging for Mike Matheson, and he’s in all probability somebody who might get a better AAV elsewhere. However by way of being like an elder statesman, a very good vet, a very good professional, a very good shade away as effectively from some extent participant, it will make quite a lot of sense, however it will likely be a coin flip, in my view.”
Host: “Yeah, I take a look at a pair issues. One, he’s the one participant that’s over 30 on that blue line, and so they’re very younger. So that you talked about that. I additionally assume that there’s guys like Struble and Xhekaj and you would have a debate about Guhle, who you recognize are able to make that subsequent step. However even in two years, Matheson at 33 may nonetheless be higher than Struble at 25, proper? Like, you simply don’t know what that progress, however the Canadiens are gonna have to choose. However the very last thing is, there’s, there’s a man that understands this market, and two, he has a really robust relationship with the Common Supervisor.”
Di Marco: “Nicely, that’s it. And like, for me, I feel it ought to come all the way down to what you assume Kaiden Guhle is. Like that for me, is the massive X consider all this, as a result of stylistically, and from like a vet rookie perspective, like would Mike Matheson not be just like the prototypical excellent companion for a man like David Reinbacher, who I think about they’re hoping to be a staple on that second pair, on the very least, within the high 4 for the foreseeable future for Montreal.
So like, for those who’re going to maintain Mike Matheson, I can think about Kaiden Guhle goes to be a part of the chat as effectively. And look, clearly, Guhle spent quite a lot of time on the fitting aspect. Lane Hutson has spent quite a lot of time on the fitting aspect. And possibly one these guys do begin this season on the fitting aspect. However for me, the arrival of Noah Dobson is to lastly plug that gap on the fitting aspect of the highest pair.
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Like, for me, long run, possibly even quick time period, possibly even instantly to start out the season, your high pair is Lane Hutson-Noah Dobson, after which after that, it’s type of a coin flip. Like, does Reinbacher begin within the NHL? If not, possibly return to that Matheson-Kaiden Guhle pair for the second yr in a row, or the third yr in a row, no matter it’s with considered one of them enjoying on the offside, in all probability being Kaiden Guhle.
However from a long run perspective, once more, all assuming that Reinbacher hits in the best way that they’re hoping for him to hit, I feel it’s going to have to come back all the way down to Guhle or Mike Matheson, as a result of long run, from a monetary standpoint, I can think about it’s possible to maintain each of these guys.”
NHLRumors.com Observe: As talked about throughout an look on TSN 690 in Montreal earlier within the month, the Canadiens have choices on the subject of Mike Matheson. However the most effective plan of action shall be to maintain Matheson till they resolve and really feel their younger defensemen are able to take the subsequent step. Once more, it comes all the way down to how Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes view their group. Do they need younger defensemen taking over greater than they need to with the Canadiens within the a part of their evolution when that is the season for the playoffs? This shall be a season-long story for Mike Matheson and the Canadiens.
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