Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Matheson’s deal solidifies core
Defenseman’s extension pleases all
CORAL SPRINGS — The core of young, talented Florida Panthers gained another cornerstone Monday, with Mike Matheson signing an eight-year extension that begins next season.
The move was met with a resounding chorus of, “Congrats, Matty!” when Matheson entered the locker room after practice at the IceDen.
Aside from the secondyear defenseman himself, no one appeared more pleased with the deal than general manager Dale Tallon, who said negotiations initially focused on a shorter contract.
“We started with two years and went to four and went to six, and he said, ‘How about eight? I want to be a Panther,’ ” Tallon said. “He’s going to be a mainstay of our [defense] for a long time. So, the fact that he wanted to be a Panther for life, that really was impressive for us.”
The extension is worth $39 million, keeping Matheson in Sunrise through the 2025-26 season. At an average of less than $5 million a year, the deal has potential to be a bargain if the former Boston College standout follows the career arc that the club and many outsiders project.
Only 23, Matheson is already taking on the minutes and responsibilities of a top-four defender.
“He’s very reliable for his age,” said Panthers coach Bob Boughner, who played defense for 10 years in the NHL. “He’s got amazing feet, and that’s his biggest asset, I think, is being able to play against other teams’ best lines and getting a tough assignment every night.”
Tallon referred to Matheson’s “impeccable character,” and the native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, gave an indication of it when it was suggested he might have short-changed himself in the latter years of the contract.
“Quite honestly, the way I was brought up, I really hope that my career gets to a point where maybe I am worth a bit more. But if I’m starting to turn around and think I should be getting paid more money to do something I love every single day, then shame on me,” he said.
“Because, at the end of the day, it means that I’m helping my team as much as I can and it leaves room for them to go after better players to surround everyone else with.”
Matheson joins a lengthy list of players the Panthers have signed to long-term deals. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad, 21, is signed through 2024-25. Forward Jonathan Huberdeau, 24 through 2022-23. Standout centers Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck are each locked up through 2021-22. Veteran defenseman Keith Yandle, 31, is also set through 2021-22.
“When you can have the same guys pushing each other for years and years together, that’s where you see teams starting to have success,” Matheson said. “I know that I still have a lot of work to get to the level that they’re already at.”
The intriguing comparison over the next few years will be with Ekblad, who is in the first year of an eightyear, $60 million contract extension. Ekblad, 21, has already been an All-Star and established himself as an offensive force on the blue line.
But Matheson’s skill as a skater and in moving the puck, as well as the maturity he has already exhibited, points to an All-Star-caliber future.
He’s already showing the dedication that requires. Boughner said Matheson was the fittest Panther coming into training camp.
“I think as he gets older and more mature and learns the league, he’s going to have even more offensive upside to his game,” Boughner said. “But we’re really asking him to play an important role to draw those tough assignments and be a shut-down kind of defenseman.”
Yandle said, “He’s a really mature guy, you wouldn’t think it’s his second year.”
Matheson first distinguished himself with an impactful performance in the playoff series against the New York Islanders in 2016 after playing in only three regular-season games with the Panthers. He set up the winning goal in overtime in last year’s season opener, and went on to play 81 games, notching 17 points (seven goals).
He could have been a restricted free agent after this season.
“It’s pretty incredible to have them give me such a vote of confidence,” Matheson said. “I’m excited about where this team’s headed, and it’s such an honor to be a part of it for such a long time.”