Mike Matheson is staying in Montreal - and not just because he’s playing the best hockey of his career.
The Canadiens’ top defenseman locked in a five-year, $30 million contract extension last Friday, a deal that kicks in next season with a $6 million annual cap hit. For a player who could’ve easily commanded a bigger payday on the open market next summer, this move says a lot about what matters most to Matheson - and it’s not just dollars and cents.
Let’s be clear: $6 million a year is still serious money. But in today’s NHL, where 60 defensemen are already making more than that this season, according to Spotrac, Matheson’s extension looks like a team-friendly deal - especially for a guy playing at his current level. With the league’s salary cap projected to rise from $95.5 million this year to $113.5 million by 2027-28, this contract could age like fine wine for the Canadiens.
Through Sunday’s games, Matheson had posted 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points, while leading the team with a +14 rating. He’s averaging 24:44 of ice time a night - not just tops on the Habs, but good for 10th among all NHL defensemen. That’s elite usage, and he’s earned every second of it.
Next season, Matheson will be the third-highest-paid blueliner on the Canadiens, behind Noah Dobson ($9.5 million) and Lane Hutson ($8.85 million). But if he keeps playing like this, his $6 million cap hit could be one of the better bargains in the league - especially considering his age and physical condition.
At 31, Matheson is one of the Canadiens’ most fit players, and his smooth, efficient skating shows no signs of slowing down. His game isn’t built on brute force - it’s built on mobility, vision, and hockey IQ, all of which tend to age well.
After practice Monday in Brossard, Matheson spoke about the extension with a sense of calm and contentment. He wasn’t chasing the biggest payday possible - he was focused on stability for his family and building something meaningful in Montreal.
“Just happy, honestly, to know that it’s done,” Matheson said. “The little bit of distraction isn’t there anymore.
I knew that I wasn’t looking to shoot the moon with how much I wanted. In that case, I wasn’t too stressed about it.
I knew it would be something to get done.”
Matheson’s deal comes with a full no-movement clause for the first three years, followed by a 14-team no-trade list in Year 4 and a five-team list in Year 5. Translation: he’s got control over his future, but if things ever shift and the Canadiens need to make a move down the line, the contract won’t be an anchor.
Family clearly played a big role in Matheson’s decision. He and his wife, Emily - a former U.S.
Olympic gold medalist in women’s hockey - have two young kids. Emily is from Buffalo, where the Mathesons spend their summers, and the proximity to Montreal makes life easier on and off the ice.
For Matheson, a few extra million wasn’t worth uprooting that stability.
There’s also belief - real belief - in what the Canadiens are building. Matheson sees a team that can contend for a Stanley Cup in the not-too-distant future, and he wants to be part of that journey. By taking a bit less, he’s helping create cap flexibility that could be crucial when it comes time to lock in key pieces or bring in reinforcements.
This isn’t just a feel-good story about a player choosing family and team over free-agent riches. It’s also a smart hockey move - for both sides. The Canadiens keep their top defenseman at a manageable number, and Matheson gets long-term security in a place where he feels at home.
In a league where contracts are often all about leverage and maximizing value, Matheson’s extension is a reminder that sometimes, the best deals are the ones that make sense on and off the ice.