Change is inevitable in the world of professional hockey, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Montreal as the Canadiens gear up for a new season.

With a flurry of high-profile acquisitions and a roster brimming with young talent, the competition for key roles has never been fiercer. Among the most intriguing storylines emerging from training camp is the uncertain future of Mike Matheson, a player who just last season was the heartbeat of the Canadiens’ blue line and a fixture on their power play.

Now, as new faces arrive and established stars jostle for ice time, Matheson finds himself at a crossroads, facing the very real prospect of a reduced role.

For a defenseman who has thrived under pressure and delivered consistent results, the possibility of being pushed out of the spotlight is both surprising and sobering.

As the Canadiens’ coaching staff reshuffles their special teams and reimagines their lineup, all eyes are on Matheson—will he adapt and reclaim his spot, or is this the beginning of a new chapter for both player and team?

The answers promise to shape not only his career but the future direction of the Canadiens themselves.

With the acquisitions of Zachary Bolduc and Noah Dobson by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens, a name like Mike Matheson appears to be the odd man out.

While some experts predicted he might be traded, Canadiens management seems intent on bringing him back to Montreal this fall.

That said, his role appears to be set for a drastic change.

Matheson has gone from being the quarterback of the top power-play unit, scoring 62 points in 82 games, to a second-unit power-play player putting up 31 points in 82 games.. to someone who will seemingly be removed from the power play altogether. Ouch.

Is Mike Matheson About to Lose His Role on the Power Play?

That’s what’s being reported, and it’s also what the site Daily Faceoff seems to believe.

Check out the two projected power-play units.

This would mark the very first time since joining the Montreal Canadiens that Mike Matheson is no longer on the power play.

Even quietly, Matheson still averaged just over two minutes per game on the power play during the 2024-2025 season (3 minutes and 41 seconds the season before).

However, next season could look very different.

All signs point to Matheson losing his spot to Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Cole Caufield, and Patrik Laine.

Personally, I agree with the projected lineup above, and it makes us realize there’s likely only one available spot left on the power play in Montreal.

I don’t see how guys like Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Patrik Laine, Noah Dobson, or Zachary Bolduc could be bumped off the power play.

I just listed eight names – which leaves two spots – but one of those will go to a net-front presence, like Brendan Gallagher or Josh Anderson.

That leaves only Alex Newhook’s spot potentially available – possibly for a player like Kirby Dach or maybe a new summer acquisition.