Montreal Canadiens sign defenceman Mike Matheson to five-year extension

LAS VEGAS — The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenceman Mike Matheson to a five-year, US$30-million contract extension.

The Canadiens made the announcement Friday in Las Vegas before a game against the Golden Knights.

Matheson’s extension starts next season and runs through to 2030-31.

The 31-year-old from Pointe-Claire, Que., has four goals and 10 assists in 22 games this season with a plus-13 differential.

In his fourth season with the Canadiens, Matheson leads the team in average ice time at 24 minutes 50 seconds per game, which ranks 10th in the NHL.

The six-foot-two, 196-pound rearguard has transitioned from an offensive defenceman to a player who is matched up against opponent’s top scorers.

Matheson was a first-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2012. Montreal acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2022.

Matheson set career highs for a season in assists (51), points (62), power-play goals (5) and power-play points (28) in the 2023-24.

Since arriving in Montreal, he ranks seventh in the NHL in average ice time at 25:06.

Matheson has played 649 career NHL games with 78 goals and 201 assists.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 28, 2025.