Montreal could trade Arber Xhekaj for a first-round pick to target a true top-six center, with Shane Wright as the alluring return if the pick lands with Seattle. Wright posted 19 goals and 44 points in 2024, but Montreal’s back end is crowded—Hutson, Guhle, Carrier and Matheson—giving Xhekaj high trade value despite his physical, enforcer-type upside. The move hinges on securing immediate center production, not another mid-round asset.

Lane Hutson’s Calder-winning rookie season anchors Montreal’s long-term plan as talks on his next deal heat up. Sources say both sides are in a good place and contract discussions are ongoing, with a seven-year, roughly $56 million target floated as a feasible ceiling for a cornerstone defenseman. Montreal’s young core—Hutson, Guhle, Struble, plus veterans like Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on the backend—gives the Canadiens a dynamic, puck-moving layer to pair with depth, setting up a potential playoff push in a still-open Eastern Conference. The Panthers remain the division bar, but Montreal’s path to relevance, playoffs, and sustained fantasy upside looks clearer with Hutson at the helm and a growing blueline around him.

Hutson’s rise, selected 62nd in 2022, maps onto a future where Montreal leans on a blue line built for offense and elite defensive play. Dobson adds veteran steadiness, Guhle and Struble blend youth with upside, and Matheson supplies experience. Retaining Hutson is portrayed as the next-step move to lock in a bright, long-term horizon for the Canadiens, making the team and fantasy rosters worth watching as the contracts and development timeline unfold.

The Montreal Canadiens are poised to make strategic decisions about defenseman Mike Matheson. With his current contract at around $5.3 million, speculation suggests he could demand between $6 and $7 million on the market as the salary cap is projected to rise to $110 million. However, the Canadiens may choose to wait before extending Matheson, considering the potential development of young defenseman David Reinbacher during training camp.

Should Reinbacher impress, he might form a potent pairing with Matheson, compelling the team to rethink their decision on his contract extension. If the Canadiens find themselves out of playoff contention at the trade deadline, Matheson could also become a valuable rental asset, potentially fetching high returns in a trade. Thus, the Canadiens hold a precarious but promising position, balancing immediate roster needs against future potential.

The Montreal Canadiens face an intriguing decision regarding defenseman Mike Matheson, who has one year remaining on his contract. As the only over-30 player on a predominantly young blue line, Matheson could serve as a vital mentor. His experience would complement rising talents like Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle, who are expected to form the core of the Canadiens' defense for years to come.

Matheson's potential departure raises questions about the team's strategy, especially with Guhle's injury history. Retaining him could provide stability as the next generation develops, yet it may not align with the Canadiens' long-term financial goals. Ultimately, the decision hinges on how the management views Guhle's readiness and Matheson's market value.