Mike
Matheson
D · MTL · Balanced · Below average
- PAL
- 22
- WAR
- -0.4
- Value
- 15
- PTS
- 37
2025-26№ 291 / 325
Mike Matheson (Montreal Canadiens) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Mike Matheson
HEIGHT : 188 cm · WEIGHT : 89 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : February 26, 1994 · Pointe-Claire, Canada
Drafted : 2012 · FLA · round 1, pick #23
Contract : $6,000,000 · 2026-27 → 2030-31 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $5,000,000NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Montréal Canadiens | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 2025-26 | Montréal Canadiens | 78 | 7 | 30 | 37 | 34 |
| 2024-25 | Montréal Canadiens | 80 | 6 | 25 | 31 | 51 |
| 2023-24 | Montréal Canadiens | 82 | 11 | 51 | 62 | 58 |
| 2022-23 | Montréal Canadiens | 48 | 8 | 26 | 34 | 33 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 74 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 33 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 44 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 28 |
| 2019-20 | Florida Panthers | 59 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 14 |
| 2018-19 | Florida Panthers | 75 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 44 |
| 2017-18 | Florida Panthers | 81 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 61 |
| 2016-17 | Florida Panthers | 81 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 36 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| NHL totals | 713 | 82 | 224 | 306 | 400 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Montréal Canadiens | 19 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
| 2024-25 | Montréal Canadiens | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | Florida Panthers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 44 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 36 | |
Mike Matheson: our analysis
2025-26 season: 78 GP, 7 G, 30 A, 37 PTS, +9 +/-, 24:10 TOI. WAR -0.4 (291st of 325) · PAL 22, below average.
In 2025-26, Mike Matheson, 32, posts a PAL Rating of 22 out of 100 (below average), and his WAR of -0.4 ranks 291st among 325 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: discipline (76, well above average) and offense (67, above average). On the other hand, penalty kill (2, among the weakest in the league) and power play (14, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+0.8); his biggest cost: EV defense (-2.4).
A slight dip from 2024-25, when his PAL was 27; his WAR, though, went from -1.1 to -0.4.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 15 (very poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Mike Matheson's story
Learning to skate at age two and starting in ringette because of local age rules set an early course for Mike Matheson on Montreal’s West Island. He grew up in that largely anglophone neighbourhood but attended French immersion schools, and as a youth he took part in the Quebec International Pee‑Wee Tournament—an early taste of high‑level competition.
Matheson’s junior path followed the Quebec midget AAA circuit with the Lac St‑Louis Lions, then a standout season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL in 2011‑12 where he led defensemen in scoring. That trajectory earned him a spot at Boston College. After earning conference and national recognition in his first two college seasons, he chose to forgo his senior year and sign a professional contract following 2014‑15. Florida had selected him 23rd overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
He broke into the NHL in 2016 with the Panthers and experienced postseason play that same spring. Florida extended his deal in 2017, giving him stability there until he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in September 2020. In Pittsburgh he posted career highs in goals and points during the 2021‑22 season and delivered several game‑winning goals, cementing his impact on the team’s blueline.
Montreal acquired Matheson in July 2022, pairing him with his new organization amid expectations to take a top defence role. A preseason abdominal strain delayed his start, but his Canadiens debut on November 19, 2022 featured a goal and an assist. The club has also acknowledged his off‑ice leadership, naming him an alternate captain before the following season.
On the ice, Matheson is a puck‑moving defenceman who contributes offensively while maintaining defensive duties. His development through midget AAA, the USHL and the NCAA, followed by time in the AHL and multiple NHL environments, has shaped a player who blends mobility, offensive instincts from the back end and growing leadership responsibilities.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 23:45
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:35
- SH TOI/GP
- 4:28
- Pts/GP
- 0.50
- EV points
- 4
- Hits
- 5
- Blocks
- 13
- Takeaways
- 3
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 48.3 %
- Off. zone starts
- 17.0 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
31between 17 and 44 (80% range)
- Goals
- 7
- Assists
- 24
- Games
- 68
So far: 4 pts in 8 games. The team has played 17 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.45 pts per game (last season: 0.47).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slight decline
- Points per game: 0.76 in 23-24, 0.47 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 27 → 22
Outlook, age included
↓ DecliningAge 32: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
Out· Lower Body· expected back November 14
OV · OverallConfidence 87 %
76
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 89
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 60
- Confidence 89 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 93
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 83
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 69
- Confidence 89 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 75
- Confidence 64 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 80
- Confidence 89 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 82
- Confidence 87 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 79
- Confidence 87 %
- DF
- Defense
- 56
- Confidence 85 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 51
- Confidence 25 %
- EX
- Experience
- 87
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating89
- Top speed (35 %)36.6 · 90
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)3.273 · 87
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.4 · 79
- Speed consistency (15 %)36.3 · 96
ST — Strength60
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.484 · 62
- Body mass (50 %)-0.218 · 69
EN — Endurance93
- Ice time per game (45 %)22.8 · 92
- Total ice time (20 %)1,814 · 88
- Shift length (15 %)54.8 · 93
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)22.1 · 93
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)4.423 · 92
DU — Durability83
- Share of games played (100 %)0.864 · 83
CK — Checking69
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.182 · 67
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)2.073 · 70
- Season volume (10 %)4.094 · 76
FG — Fighting75
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.829 · 75
DI — Discipline80
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.023 · 80
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.625 · 75
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.488 · 81
PA — Passing82
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.513 · 84
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.511 · 81
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.05 · 69
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.486 · 84
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.396 · 86
SC — Scoring79
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.251 · 78
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.231 · 79
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.101 · 70
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.176 · 85
- xG per shot (10 %)0.036 · 81
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)10.4 · 78
DF — Defense56
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.043 · 67
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.169 · 62
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.949 · 48
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.322 · 51
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.93 · 77
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)60.1 · 63
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)5.049 · 81
PS — Penalty shot51
- Shootouts (60 %)30.5 · 58
- Penalty shots (40 %)25.4 · 57
EX — Experience87
- Career regular-season games (65 %)93
- Career playoff games (25 %)72
- NHL seasons (10 %)84
OV — Overall76
- DF · Defense (30 %)56
- PA · Passing (22 %)82
- SK · Skating (12 %)89
- SC · Scoring (12 %)79
- EN · Endurance (9 %)93
- ST · Strength (6 %)60
- DI · Discipline (5 %)80
- CK · Checking (4 %)69
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 76 | 89 | 79 | 56 |
| 2024-25 | 81 | 92 | 81 | 61 |
| 2023-24 | 89 | 94 | 85 | 70 |
| 2022-23 | 89 | 96 | 85 | 76 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.4
wins above replacement
291 of 325
PAL Rating
22/ 100
Performance · Below average
192 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
15/ 100
Very poor return
4.88 M$ · expected PAL 65
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 54
- Defense
- 6
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 67
- Creation
- 45
- Shooting
- 53
- Possession
- 31
- Defense
- 14
- Discipline
- 76
- Power play
- 14
- Penalty kill
- 2
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | MTL | -0.4 | 22 | 15 | 4.88 M$ |
| 2024-25 | MTL | -1.1 | 27 | 11 | 4.88 M$ |
| 2023-24 | MTL | 0.2 | 75 | 57 | 4.88 M$ |
| 2022-23 | MTL | 0.1 | 81 | 63 | 4.88 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
54/ 100
Average
better than 54% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
56/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
49/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 103 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 74
- Shot selection
- 48
- Penalties drawn
- 56
- Puck management
- 47
Defense
- Takeaways
- 48
- Discipline
- 53
- Safe zone exits
- 46
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | MTL | 54 | 56 | 49 |
| 2024-25 | MTL | 73 | 82 | 52 |
| 2023-24 | MTL | 91 | 95 | 62 |
| 2022-23 | MTL | 89 | 91 | 71 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.4
wins above replacement
-1.0 to 0.9 — 90% interval
291 of 325 defensemen
-2.0 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -1.4
- EV defense
- -2.4
- Power play
- -0.1
- Penalty kill
- -2.3
- Shooting
- +0.8
- Penalties
- -0.3
- Average → replacement
- +3.8
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | MTL | 78 | -0.4 | -1.0 to 0.9 | 291/325 |
| 2024-25 | MTL | 76 | -1.1 | -1.7 to 0.0 | 305/314 |
| 2023-24 | MTL | 82 | 0.2 | -1.0 to 1.6 | 132/316 |
| 2022-23 | MTL | 48 | 0.1 | -0.8 to 0.9 | 145/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 151.2 km/h86th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 35.9 km/h89th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1480th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 38.8 %16th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 43.7 km36th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 6.19 km87th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.2 %39th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.3 %13th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 43.9 %9th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1556th percentile | 172nd percentile | 6.7 %58th percentile |
| High danger | 287th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 020th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Long range | 968th percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
STL
WPG
CHI
DET
NSH
CAR
PIT
TORMike Matheson: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Mike Matheson have in 2026-27?
Mike Matheson has 1 goal and 4 points (3 assists) in 8 games in 2026-27.
How old is Mike Matheson?
Mike Matheson is 32 years old: he was born on February 27, 1994.
How tall is Mike Matheson, and how much does he weigh?
Mike Matheson is 6'2" (188 cm) and weighs 196 lb (89 kg).
Where is Mike Matheson from?
Canada: Mike Matheson was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada.
What team does Mike Matheson play for?
Mike Matheson plays for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL, at D, wearing number 8.
Is Mike Matheson injured?
Yes: Mike Matheson is injured and out (lower body). He is expected back around November 14.
How good is Mike Matheson?
Mike Matheson produced -0.4 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 291st of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 22 out of 100: below average for his position.
How much does Mike Matheson make?
Mike Matheson earns $4.9M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 15 out of 100 (very poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Mike Matheson's contract end?
Mike Matheson's contract runs through the 2030-31 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Mike Matheson overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 15 out of 100 (very poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Mike Matheson a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 291st of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Mike Matheson getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 27 in 2024-25 to 22 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Mike Matheson played lately?
Over his last 8 games, Mike Matheson has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists).
What are Mike Matheson's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Mike Matheson has 713 games, 82 goals, 224 assists and 306 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 62 points in 82 games.
Where was Mike Matheson drafted?
Mike Matheson was drafted 23rd overall (round 1) by Florida Panthers in 2012.
How does Mike Matheson perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Mike Matheson has 44 games and 12 points in his career. His pace (0.27 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.43).
Which player is most similar to Mike Matheson?
Jacob Trouba: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Jacob Trouba's page →Is Mike Matheson a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 31 points in 2026-27, or 0.46 points per game.
Is Mike Matheson married?
Yes, married to Emily Pfalzer in 2019.
What is Mike Matheson's nationality?
Mike Matheson is Canadian. Internationally: Canada — 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge (Team Canada Quebec) 4th place; Gold medal at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (U18); 2016 IIHF World Championship gold (senior); 2017 IIHF World Championship silver; Appeared at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
What awards has Mike Matheson won?
Hockey East All-Rookie Team (2012–13 season) ; IIHF Directorate Award — Best Defenceman at the 2016 IIHF World Championship ; Named to the media All-Star Team at the 2016 IIHF World Championship ; Jean Béliveau Trophy (Canadiens' community leadership award) — 2022–23 season ; Named to the Hockey East All-First Team (collegiate season) ; Named to the NCAA All-Second Team East by the AHCA (collegiate season) ; Inducted into the Hockey West Island Hall of Fame (during his second NHL season).
How many championships has Mike Matheson won?
3: Gold medal — 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (U18) with Canada's national under-18 team; Gold medal — 2016 IIHF World Championship with Canada's senior national team; Silver medal — 2017 IIHF World Championship with Canada's senior national team.
Where did Mike Matheson play before turning pro?
Lac St-Louis Lions (QMAAA) 2009–2011; Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) 2011–12; Boston College (NCAA) — joined after the USHL, served as team captain in 2014–15.
How many points is Mike Matheson projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 31 points in 68 games in 2026-27 (17 to 44 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Montreal Canadiens teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)