The rumours around the Mike Matheson extension started at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place: June 24 in Buffalo, New York. The annual NHL prospect combine was taking place, and Matheson travelled and spent an hour and a half discussing his wish to stay with the team with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes.
Five months after those initial talks in the city of the Sabres, the Habs extended Matheson to a five-year $30 million extension – worth an AAV of $6 million. The deal includes three years of a full No-Movement Clause, and the final two years each carry a Modified No-Trade Clause.