Montreal Canadiens Star Defenseman at Center of Trade Talks with Vancouver Canucks

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Cooper Godin
November 20, 2024 (1:33 PM)

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Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadiens is among a number of defensive options the Vancouver Canucks could pursue on Frank Seravalli's trade targets list.

The Vancouver Canucks' pursuit of a top-four defenseman continues and thanks to a new trade targets list from Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

Now, there is a number of solid options for Patrik Allvin to consider.

Patrik Allvin and the Canucks have been linked to a number of defensemen in recent weeks including Pittsburgh's Marcus Pettersson, along with Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames.

Montreal Canadiens blueliner Mike Matheson could be perfect fit

Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadiens was one of a number of defensemen named by Frank Seravalli on his first trade targets list for the 2024-25 season.

"Given the thin nature of their blueline, and their need to better support young defensemen assimilating into the lineup, the Canadiens don't really want to move Matheson. But they may not have a choice given that his value will be arguably its highest before this deadline. Did you know Matheson was ninth among defensemen scoring last year with 62 points? He moves the puck, is comfortable playing the right side, and actually defends better than he's given credit for when proper expectations are set. What the Canadiens will have to weigh is: they don't really need many more picks, they need more tangible help." Seravalli said.

Matheson has been a big piece of the Canadiens' defensive corps since joining them through a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the summer of 2022.

Last season, Matheson set new career-highs in goals, assists, points and time-on-ice, along with playing a crucial role on Montreal's top powerplay unit.

In 82 games during the 2023-24 campaign, Matheson had 62 points (11 goals, 51 assists).

Additionally, he has 58 penalty minutes and was a minus-24 while averaging 25:33 time-on-ice per night.

So far this season, the Pointe-Claire, Quebec native has picked up right where left off from last year, registering 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 19 games.

Mike Matheson, if he become available, should be at the top of Patrik Allvin's list, especially for what he can bring to the Vancouver Canucks top-four - offense behind the Quinn Hughes' pairing.

As Frank Seravalli mentions, the Montreal Canadiens have enough draft picks, which means they'll likely be on the look out for young players who can help right now.

One option for the Vancouver Canucks in a potential trade with the Montreal Canadiens is to offer Swedish forward Nils Hoglander.

who's struggled this season as he's only put up five points in 18 games.

With other players coming up and down from Abbotsford such as Aatu Raty, Nils Aman, Arshdeep Bains and Jonathan Lekkerimaki, one of them could take on Nils Hoglander's role with the club, if Patrik Allvin does move on from him before the deadline.

The National Hockey League's trade deadline is set for Friday, March 7th - 107 days from now and it's a safe bet that before then, Patrik Allvin will have his top-four defenseman secured.