Mike Matheson Has Been Valuable for Montreal

Mike Matheson is an interesting player. He’s talented and the Canadiens’ did so much with him last season. Until last season, the Canadian defenseman was good for 30-35 points a year. Not bad and the fact that his salary is under 5 million dollars a season is a bargain.

Matheson is helping Lane Hutson, and that’s worth a lot. It’s been good and as such, I can’t expect him reach 62 points like he did last season. No way, he’s not going to be in that ballpark.

Related: Should Mike Matheson Be Available At the NHL Trade Deadline?

Matheson is playing 24:42, and that’s a top-tier amount. He averages 2:36 on the power play and 3:23 on the penalty kill. Again, he’s doing a lot to contribute. His goals are down, even though he shoots 4.6 shots per game. I expect his goal total to get to seven or eight at least.

Matheson gets 5% defensive zone starts. I suspect that’s risen lately so that’s fine. He’s currently on pace for 37 points and I think if he reaches 40, that’s fine. Between his salary and all of his other contributions, the Canadiens are getting the most out of him. This is the best he’s looked as a two-way player, but he’s not a top two-way guy. He’s playing the part.

Matheson has 94 blocks. That’s good. He has 59 giveaways and based on other defenseman in the league, that is acceptable. He isn’t going to be asked to replace anybody on Team Canada for the Four Nations but he’s having a good season.