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Montreal Canadiens: Who Will Be Team’s MVP in 2024?

By Ryan Praught

MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Suzuki #14, Kirby Dach #77 and Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens huddle during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Centre Bell on November 29, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Suzuki #14, Kirby Dach #77 and Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens huddle during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Centre Bell on November 29, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Mar 9, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) against the New York Rangers during overtime at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) against the New York Rangers during overtime at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports /

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Mike Matheson missed some time due to injury last season, only appearing in 48 games. Still, he managed to set a career-high in points with 34, breaking his previous mark of 31, which he needed 71 games to set. In other words, last year was far and away Matheson’s best in the NHL, even with the missed time.

Matheson was fun to watch, too, using his fantastic skating ability to create offence at one end and shut it down at the other. With all the rookies on the blueline, it may not be a high benchmark to say he was the Habs’ best defenseman, but he earned that moniker anyways. Like Dach and Caufield, a full season would be a gift for the Habs and their fans.

An entire season from Matheson, like the one we just saw from him last season, would certainly make a case for his value to the Canadiens. Especially with a blueline that still features plenty of young talent and just saw another veteran depart in the off-season in Joel Edmundson. He’ll play a significant role this season, not just as a player but as a leader.

That’s why he was rewarded with an “A” at this year’s golf tournament alongside Brendan Gallagher for the upcoming season. He’s being tasked with more responsibility, which he earned with his outstanding play last season. His value to the organization is already very evident and could very well keep growing the longer he is here.

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