Matheson is the David Desharnais of defensemen. His offensive stats are good due to usage, not ability. People saying the young guys need to make him expendable, that will never happen as long as he is still around and taking all the PP time and forcing Guhle to play on his wrong side. I prefer playing the young guys and evaluating what we have by using them in all situations and then making informed decisions over playing a guy with no future big minutes. I want to see MSL having to play them, instead of the 2024 version of the Therrien-Desharnais lovefest.
Yep, exactly this. Great comparison to Desharnais.
Matheson plays 22+ minutes a game because Marty chooses to play him that much. He could play Jake Evans 20 minutes a game, doesn't mean it would be a good decision or that Jake Evans is a player who should be playing 20 minutes.
He even plays on the PK, which, if you've ever watched Matheson play defense, should be a criminal offense to do.
He had a big year offensively, no doubt. But he's not some steady Eddy guy back there who makes up for kids' mistakes and keeps them honest. More often than not, they're the ones who need to hang back and get caught up in odd-man rushes when he gives the puck away or attempts to make one too many moves.
Don't trade him just to trade him, but if a GM with rose-colored glasses offers you something of good value for him, take it, run away, and trade for a veteran D who can actually help the kids if you need.
