Kent Hughes hasn’t gotten his hands on just any defender in return for Jeff Petry. In Mike Matheson, he obtained the services of a Montrealer and, moreover, of a former client.
• Read also: Montreal Canadiens: Rem Pitlick extends his stay
• Read also: Montreal Canadiens: Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling head for Pittsburgh
• Read also: NHL: the Devils are looking for John Marino
In his previous career as an agent, Hughes negotiated the terms of a huge deal for the Pointe-Claire native when the latter was a member of the Florida Panthers. A little less than five years later, as general manager (GM), he obtained the services of the one who was perceived as a “future Duncan Keith” by the GM of the Panthers at the time, Dale Tallon.
“We weren’t ready to go into the next season with just two experienced defensemen,” Hughes said by video call Saturday, referring to David Savard and Joel Edmundson. I can say that Pittsburgh absolutely did not want to trade him, but we insisted.
“I’ve known Mike since his midget AAA days. He is a five-star human being who will be able to help our young players. I spoke to Kristopher Letang a lot about this transaction, and he was very disappointed to see him go.
A second life
The 28-year-old Matheson spent three seasons at Boston College after being selected in the first round by the Cats in 2012. He impressed Florida so much from the start that he signed an eight-year deal. years and $39 million when he had only played 84 games in the Bettman circuit.
However, Matheson somewhat lost his bearings with the Panthers the following campaigns and moved to Pittsburgh in 2020, where he regained his letters of nobility. He had his career-best season in 2021-22, scoring 10 goals and collecting 31 points in 74 games.
“He has an extraordinary skate. When he was traded to Pittsburgh, we saw a guy who found [his marks] and who improved,” explained Hughes.
“He is able to generate attack from the blue line and we need him. Under the orders of [Martin St-Louis], I believe that he will raise his level of play a notch.
