In leaving the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Montreal Canadiens, Pointe-Claire defenseman Michael Matheson returns home, but he also leaves behind a perpetual Stanley Cup contender for a rebuilding club.
But that doesn’t bother him for two pennies.
” No way ! We saw what they did at the end of last season, and it was exciting, he said during a videoconference on Monday. Even for a guy who didn’t play for this club but comes from Montreal, I was excited. Having the opportunity to be part of the Canadiens is a dream for me. There is no better time than this to get this opportunity. »
In addition to being excited to return home, Matheson, who has just had his best offensive season with 31 points, including 11 goals, in 74 games, intends to benefit from the experience acquired with Kristopher Letang, Evgeny Malkin and Sidney Crosby to young Habs players.
“All those younger players who have earned their place [au sein de la formation du Canadien] don’t need a mentor. But at the same time, it can be very useful to have someone to turn to when you have questions. In Pittsburgh, even though I had been in the league for a few years, I looked to Sid, Kris and Geno. These guys have been through so much more than what I myself have been through. We had conversations about what it’s like to win the Cup, what the dressing room was like, which made everything click. »
Ready to take the challenge
“I look forward to using what I learned from those friendships and the special culture they created there. That’s what it takes to win in this league. I’m not saying I’ll be Sid, Kris or Geno for the young players in Montreal — they’re a good cut above me — but if I can do anything to help them, teach them what I learned myself, it could help the team. »
Matheson also believes he has gained confidence and consistency over the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, after spending just over four years with the Florida Panthers.
“Hockey, in a nutshell, is knowing how to assess in a fraction of a second whether taking such and such a risk is worth it. I was able to learn to recognize this kind of play, but above all to how to give me more time to make these decisions. When you get to the point where you choose the best option more often, your chances of success are greatly improved. »
The 28-year-old fullback doesn’t yet know what role head coach Martin St-Louis will give him in his squad, but he’s ready for any eventuality. Left-handed, Matheson even says he is ready to play on the right side, where he has already played and where the Canadian suffers from a lack of depth.
“There are advantages to playing on both sides. You play differently against an opposing climb depending on which side you play. The transitions are done differently, but it is also an advantage if you go along the line than to play on the opposite side, because then you handle the puck on your strong side. »
He is also ready to take up the challenge of playing for a team that is less well off in defense, which will have the effect of pairing him with better elements among CH opponents.
Matheson, obtained on Saturday in exchange for Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling, was a first-round pick, 23e overall, Panthers in the 2012 draft. He signed an eight-year, US$39 million contract with the Panthers ahead of the 2018–19 season. He was traded from the Panthers to the Penguins in September 2020 along with Colton Sceviour in return for Patric Hornqvist.