Important development regarding a trade involving Michael Matheson
With the significant surplus of defensemen, especially on the left side, Kent Hughes will have decisions to make, and Michael Matheson is the subject of several rumors.
It's clear that Matheson currently has the highest value of his career, perhaps the highest he will ever have.
When you look at the young players coming up behind him, it's only a matter of time before Matheson becomes less useful to the Canadiens, and Kent Hughes could use him as trade currency for a quality forward.
Michael Matheson traded? A big no for Craig Button.
According to analyst Craig Button, Kent Hughes would make a mistake by trading his defenseman. Youngsters like Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and Reinbacher are at least two years away from being close to the defenseman that Matheson is right now.
The young defensemen in the Montreal Canadiens system and I'm talking about their top guys, Reinbacher, Mailloux and Hutson, they're AT LEAST 2 years away from being anywhere close to Michael Matheson."
- Craig Button
It's a big statement, and personally, I agree with Button. There's no rush, as Matheson still has two seasons left on his contract, which is currently a steal at $4.875 million for the next two years, with a campaign of 62 points in 82 games. He's worth gold to the Canadiens and an incredible mentor for the young players.
He might not have the same value in two years, but it's a risk worth taking. It would be very surprising if Kent Hughes trades him, unless he receives an offer he can't refuse.
| POLL | ||
Would you trade Michael Matheson now or at the end of his contract? | ||
| Now | 128 | 36.5 % |
| In 2 years | 223 | 63.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
