As the NHL offseason begins to heat up, all eyes are on Buffalo, where the Montreal Canadiens’ front office is making headlines with their latest moves. Amid swirling rumors and heightened anticipation, general manager Kent Hughes finds himself at the center of attention, joined by one of the team’s most reliable defensemen, Mike Matheson. The presence of Matheson alongside Canadiens management has sparked a wave of speculation about the team’s plans and what might be in store for the veteran blueliner.

While the hockey world watches closely, reports from reputable sources indicate that important discussions have taken place behind the scenes. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and curiosity, as fans and analysts alike wonder whether these conversations could soon lead to a major announcement for the Canadiens. Matheson’s commitment to the organization and his desire to remain in Montreal have only added fuel to the fire, raising expectations that a significant development could be on the horizon.

With the possibility of a new contract looming and the Canadiens eager to solidify their roster, the coming days promise to be pivotal for both Matheson and the team. The stage is set for a compelling offseason storyline that could shape the future of the franchise.

Photo of Kent Hughes

Photo credit: NHL

Some very interesting things are currently happening live from Buffalo, especially for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.

Several sources, including the excellent Marc Antoine Godin (Radio-Canada), have confirmed that Mike Matheson is currently in Buffalo with Canadiens management.

Let’s just say that Matheson’s very presence there already speaks volumes about his future with the Canadiens, which appears to be secure-and things could become official sooner rather than later.

Kent Hughes and the Canadiens Have Held Talks With Mike Matheson About a New Contract, and He Could Be the First Player Signed by Montreal This Offseason

The highly reliable defenseman is eligible for a contract extension starting July 1st.

All of this is quite exciting, but Godin added an important clarification:

“Mike Matheson spent about an hour and a half with Gorton and Hughes today in Buffalo. It wasn’t a negotiation per se, but Matheson is eligible to sign a new contract on July 1st and would like to reach a new deal with the Canadiens.”

There have been discussions on the matter, especially because Matheson has clearly stated that he would like to sign a new deal with the Canadiens, but there have been no official negotiations.

So we’re talking about cordial conversations, but not official negotiations-at least not yet.

One thing’s certain: Mike Matheson wants a new contract in Montreal, and he’s currently in Buffalo with the Canadiens’ front office.

This will be a storyline to watch closely in the coming weeks, and don’t be surprised if Matheson signs an extension with Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton as early as this summer.

He even seems ready to offer the Habs a hometown discount, given how much he wants to stay.

At 31 years old, Matheson tallied 31 points in 80 games this season, after recording 62 points last season in Montreal.

Next season will be the final year of his current deal, which pays him $4.875 million annually.