Former Penguins Defenseman Reportedly Gaining Value Quickly on the Trade Market, Per Top Journalist

While we had some early trades this off-season, there hasn't been as much movement in recent weeks, and even through all of the speculation, we're yet to see a trade of any substance for quite some time.

There is plenty of speculation still around players like Bowen Byram, Rasmus Andersson, Nick Robertson and other intriguing names, but one that is perhaps drawing just as much interest is former Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson.

The Quebec native played for Pittsburgh between 2020 and 2022, and has spent the last three years with the Montreal Canadiens, playing in 162 regular season games with the team during that span.

Now however, with the emergence of Lane Huston and the arrival of Noah Dobson in a blockbuster trade, there's not as much need for Matheson on the Canadiens blue line, with speculation raging that he could be on the way out.

While most see him as a depth defenseman at 31-years of age that could net a solid return, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette believes there could be more in store for Montreal in a trade, predicting that Matheson could land them a huge return.

Given the current trade market, absolutely anything is possible, and if he were able to net the team a second-line centre, it would fill their biggest remaining need as they look to become a genuine playoff threat.

Ultimately though, that appears to potentially overvaluing a depth defenseman that has a combined -30 differential over those two years, but after a career high 61 points in 2023/24, absolutely anything is possible.