lecoqsportif
Well-known member
And Matheson.
2025 NHL UFA/Trade Thread
- Thread starter Sal_Butera
- Start date
And Matheson.
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
If, big if, we can retain Matheson with a reasonable contract
Hutson-Reinbacher
Guhle-Dobson
Matheson-Carrier
Is a fantastic defensive group.
Paying him $5-$6 million to be a 3rd pairing D is pointless. That D is also too soft for the playoffs.
Habsy
Not playing around anymore.
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
As I posted yesterday , cant think of one other team in the league that has a high end PMD on each pairing. Best 6-man unit in the NHL
If we’ve learned anything about MSLs coaching philosophy… he’s predisposed to role 4 lines 5-on-5, which requires a strong bottom-6 to achieve success.
I’m sure he’s itching to do the same with his 3 D pairs but hasn’t had the depth to do so till now..
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
But he’s also a guy that can slot in any pairing, on either sides, and can play any of the specialty teams. And Matheson is not soft, granted he’s not as physical as Xhekaj. I doubt it’s going to happen regardless but I would be ecstatic if it does. Mike Matheson on a third pairing is the ultimate luxury.
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
I could easily see Matheson pull Tavares type hometown discount…he seems really content living in Westmount, being close to his parents and playing for Habs
HuGo place a lot of importance on “team culture”, Matheson has brought it in spades.
Of course there’s also the Cult of Quartexx factor…
The Flyers have the most Quartexx clients - 7.
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
I can also see it. He seems invested in the team, and the organization likes him. There is a deal to be made, but ultimately Mike might have himself priced out of Montreal. Great guy, great player, he deserves to be paid, would love to keep him but cap management is a thing.
last payday , get your final bag
JT , Benn and others like Burns are at the end of their careers
MM will be only 32 , he cant leave big money on the table
Matheson with less pressure and playing about 20 minutes a night could be really good.
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Yeah, do not want to become the next Carolina.
D isn’t their problem ….butterfly forwards and they just added another one
What gives with Wifi and Struble
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
+ iffy G + inability to adjust to different style of game played by opposition
MON4NHLTOR4MLB
Well-known member
You just can’t throw away a McKenna draft pick. You never know how season or lottery will play out, heck look at the Islanders!
You'd either have to make it top 5 protected or get a great return in order to move that 1st.
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
Yes, that’s the huge risk factor…
Whereas this past draft was a sellers market (almost every team ready to unload their 1st rounders), next draft will be polar opposite… theoretically Habs ahould be able to leverage their 1st rounder under the guise of was last season an aberration or real, to pry a significant talent.
If I’m Nill, it’s only natural to wonder “hmmm did the Habs simply get on a hot streak and ride the hamburglar wave or are they for real” - I may realistically be willing to flip Robertson (who I’m looking to jettison due to salary demands anyway + free up cap space + liking to reacquire futures dealt for Rantanen) to play that lottery. Verbeek may well have the same opinion in potentially dealing McTavish
“Safe is death” - John Tortorella
MON4NHLTOR4MLB
Well-known member
I was more referring to offer sheets, I doubt anyone tossed their 1st unprotected this year. Would be ridiculous