We now know what we could have in the case of a Mike Matheson trade
Mike Matheson's potential trade is an intriguing situation for the Canadiens de Montreal.
Mike Matheson has shown his value with his strong play by contributing offensively and providing stability at the Habs blue line.
His mobility, leadership and reasonable contract of $4.875M until 2026, make him attractive to teams seeking a reliable defenseman who wants to push for the playoff.
Marc-Olivier Beaudoin speculates that Mike Matheson could fetch a first-round pick and a quality prospect if the Canadiens wanted to trade him.
This is a fair expectation given his recent performance but for this trade to make sense, the return must include a pick in the top 15 and a young player with significant potential.
If a team like the Dallas Stars shows interest, Mavrik Bourque could become an intriguing target since he registered 77 points in 71 games in the AHL last season.
Acquiring a prospect of his caliber could benefit the Canadiens' rebuild, but a promising piece like Logan Stankoven could also justify the trade.
Trading Matheson for a late first-round pick and an average prospect isn't appealing for Kent Hughes since his role with David Savard in developing young defensemen like Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson is crucial.
Unless the return is substantial, keeping Mike Matheson remains the best option for the team's competitiveness and leadership.
This situation mirrors the speculation around David Savard which is giving Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton much to consider before the trade deadline and balancing short-term development with long-term assets is key in this situation.
And you, do you think the Montreal Canadiens should trade Mike Matheson or David Savard?
| POLL | ||
Do you think Mike Matheson will be traded before the trade deadline? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 66 % |
| No | 16 | 34 % |
| List of polls | ||
