Mike Matheson is definitely an NHL defenseman. He’s coming off of back-to-back 27 point seasons and has played significant minutes for the Florida Panthers. Did he perform like a top-four defenseman last season? Not consistently. Does he need to improve defensively? Absolutely.
Matheson could start the year alongside Aaron Ekblad on the Panthers’ top pairing (but it will likely be Yandle). Newly appointed Coach Joel Quenneville may have other plans, but the Panthers lack quality left-side blueliners, and he may have his hands tied.
If he does indeed start the season with Ekblad, his positioning, as well as his defensive decision-making, needs to be better.