The Montreal Canadiens announced late Friday morning that they have extended defenseman Mike Matheson to a five-year deal worth $30 million.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension (2026-27 to 2030-31) with defenseman Mike Matheson
News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/j4zZ1bGjFU
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 28, 2025
NHL Rumors: The Montreal Canadiens Can Be Patient on a Mike Matheson Extension
Matheson’s new deal with the Canadiens carries an AAV of $6 million.
Habs make it official: $6M AAV https://t.co/Xzl5FP3zGP
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 28, 2025
To work around differences in tax codes between Montreal and the rest of Canada, Matheson will receive $20.8 million of the $30 million in signing bonus funds. In addition, Matheson has a full no-movement clause in the first three years of the deal and a 14-team no-trade list in year four and a five-team no-trade list in year five.
Matheson’s new contract comes with a full NMC in years 1-3, a 14-team no-trade list in the 4th year, and a 5-team no-trade list in Yr5.
$ Breakdown:
Yr1: $2.5M salary, $5M signing bonus
Yr2: $2.5M / $5M SB
Yr3: $2.2M / $3.8M SB
Yr4: $1M / $3.5M SB
Yr5: $1M / $3.5M SB— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 28, 2025
This was a no-brainer from the start between the Canadiens and Mike Matheson. This is a player the Canadiens needed on the backend. Montreal wanted to keep him, and the player wanted to stay. The fact that it is under market value shows again how players want to be in Montreal and be a part of a winner.
NHL Rumors: All Options on the Table for Mike Matheson and the Montreal Canadiens
As mentioned during an appearance on TSN Radio in Montreal this past July, getting Mike Matheson on a team-friendly deal, “that’s a win for both parties.” Not to mention, Matheson is a steady defenseman back there on the Canadiens blueline who can also provide offense. Again, for a team that wants to take the next step, they need another veteran defenseman on the blueline to guide their young players.
It shows that Hughes and Jeff Gorton understand they can’t ask young defensemen to punch over their weight class when you’re trying to be a consistent playoff team. It is also always a young defenseman like David Reinbacher who develops at his own pace as he returns from injury.
Matheson is having a nice bounce-back season for the Canadiens. He has 14 points (four goals and 10 assists) in 22 games with the Canadiens this season, to go along with a +13 while logging 24:50 minutes of ice time. In 649 regular-season games, Matheson recorded 279 points (78 goals and 201 assists).
Mike Matheson, extended 5x$6M by MTL, is a smooth-skating veteran defenceman who logs a lot of difficult minutes and is very involved on the ice. His on-ice numbers don’t necessary align with the amount of Stuff he does, especially in his own zone where he’s very active defender. pic.twitter.com/BoqfwKD1Y7
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) November 28, 2025
NHL Rumors: The Best Option for the Montreal Canadiens is to Keep Mike Matheson
In addition, with the Canadiens heavily mentioned in trade circles surrounding Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, with the going rate being a top prospect and a first-round pick, the signing of Mike Matheson allows the Canadiens to move a player like Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, or potentially Jayden Struble, plus a pick, to acquire that second-line center.
Again, the Montreal Canadiens are open to moving a first-round pick this year to improve. Gorton and Hughes are open to being aggressive while staying on track with their plan. That plan always included Mike Matheson on the backend.
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