The Montreal Canadiens announced late Friday morning that they’ve prolonged defenseman Mike Matheson to a five-year deal price $30 million.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension (2026-27 to 2030-31) with defenseman Mike Matheson
News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/j4zZ1bGjFU
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 28, 2025
NHL Rumors: The Montreal Canadiens Can Be Patient on a Mike Matheson Extension
Matheson’s recent take care of the Canadiens carries an AAV of $6 million.
Habs make it official: $6M AAV https://t.co/Xzl5FP3zGP
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 28, 2025
To work around differences in tax codes between Montreal and the remaining of Canada, Matheson will receive $20.8 million of the $30 million in signing bonus funds. As well as, Matheson has a full no-movement clause in the primary three years of the deal and a 14-team no-trade list in yr 4 and a five-team no-trade list in yr five.
Matheson’s recent contract comes with a full NMC in years 1-3, a 14-team no-trade list within the 4th yr, and a 5-team no-trade list in Yr5.
$ Breakdown:
Yr1: $2.5M salary, $5M signing bonus
Yr2: $2.5M / $5M SB
Yr3: $2.2M / $3.8M SB
Yr4: $1M / $3.5M SB
Yr5: $1M / $3.5M SB— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 28, 2025
This was a no brainer from the beginning between the Canadiens and Mike Matheson. This can be a player the Canadiens needed on the backend. Montreal desired to keep him, and the player desired to stay. The incontrovertible fact that it’s under market value shows again how players wish to be in Montreal and be a component of a winner.
NHL Rumors: All Options on the Table for Mike Matheson and the Montreal Canadiens
As mentioned during an appearance on TSN Radio in Montreal this past July, getting Mike Matheson on a team-friendly deal, “that’s a win for each parties.” Not to say, Matheson is a gradual defenseman back there on the Canadiens blueline who also can provide offense. Again, for a team that wishes to take the subsequent step, they need one other veteran defenseman on the blueline to guide their young players.
It shows that Hughes and Jeff Gorton understand they’ll’t ask young defensemen to punch over their weight class if you’re attempting to be a consistent playoff team. It is usually at all times a young defenseman like David Reinbacher who develops at his own pace as he returns from injury.
Matheson is having a pleasant bounce-back season for the Canadiens. He has 14 points (4 goals and 10 assists) in 22 games with the Canadiens this season, to associate with a +13 while logging 24:50 minutes of ice time. In 649 regular-season games, Matheson recorded 279 points (78 goals and 201 assists).
Mike Matheson, prolonged 5x$6M by MTL, is a smooth-skating veteran defenceman who logs a number of difficult minutes and may be very involved on the ice. His on-ice numbers don’t mandatory align with the quantity of Stuff he does, especially in his own zone where he’s very lively defender. pic.twitter.com/BoqfwKD1Y7
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) November 28, 2025
NHL Rumors: The Best Option for the Montreal Canadiens is to Keep Mike Matheson
As well as, with the Canadiens heavily mentioned in trade circles surrounding Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, with the going rate being a top prospect and a first-round pick, the signing of Mike Matheson allows the Canadiens to maneuver a player like Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, or potentially Jayden Struble, plus a pick, to amass that second-line center.
Again, the Montreal Canadiens are open to moving a first-round pick this yr to enhance. Gorton and Hughes are open to being aggressive while staying on course with their plan. That plan at all times included Mike Matheson on the backend.
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