Florida Panthers: Mike Matheson’s Forgettable 2019 Season

Following a superb 2018 NHL campaign for defenseman Mike Matheson, how would the former 2012 first-round pick perform during the forgettable 2019 season for your Florida Panthers?

General Manager Dale Tallon previously selected offensive-defenseman Michael Matheson with the 23rd overall selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Matheson would spend the following three years with Boston College playing in the NCAA.

Matheson was simply sensational with Boston College and spent the majority of the 2016 season with the Portland Pirates of the AHL. Additionally, Mike made his NHL debut in 2016, participating in three regular-season contests and five playoff matches.

Matheson was stellar in the playoffs versus the New York Islanders, recording an assist and playing a consistently steady style of defense alongside franchise cornerstone Aaron Ekblad for the majority of the series.

The 2017 season was a relatively successful rookie campaign for Mike Matheson. In 81 games played, Matheson recorded an impressive slash line of 7G, 10A, for 17 points on the year.

Also, Matheson registered a whopping 118 blocked shots and 69 total hits, playing a rather bruising style of defense for the Cats.

The 2018 season was another encouraging year for Mike Matheson. While taking part in 81 regular-season affairs, Matheson recorded 10G, 17A, for 27 points on the year.

Matheson also posted career highs in plus/minus rating (-1) and blocked shots (137). Essentially, Matheson was gradually improving and played a pivotal role in the 96-point season for the Florida Panthers.

However, the 2019 NHL campaign was undoubtedly Mike Matheson’s worst season in the National Hockey League.

While participating in only 75 contests, Matheson still recorded subpar offensive numbers, tallying 8G, 19A, for 27 points on the year. Matheson also registered 132 blocked shots while averaging approximately 22:19 minutes of ice time per game.

Despite being given a heightened role as a top-four defenseman, Matheson struggled mightily on the defensive end for the majority of the 2019 season.

The giveaway bug certainly plagued Matheson, as he registered an unacceptable 135 giveaways on the year, placing himself in the top 10 among all NHL defensemen in giveaways.

The consistent turnovers frequently resulted in goals for the opposition, which plummeted Matheson’s plus/minus rating (finished with a career-worst -24).

In addition, Matheson was also less disciplined, committing numerous egregious penalties (44 PIM) which even resulted in a two-game suspension during the season.

Furthermore, Matheson was occasionally healthy scratched for inconsistent performances defensively.

He was most notably healthy scratched in favor of Brady Keeper (Keeper’s debut game against the Ottawa Senators on the road). Essentially, Matheson truly experienced some painful struggles on the defensive end and the results showed.

However, with Joel Quenneville currently behind the bench for Florida, Mike Matheson will likely be utilized properly and won’t be overworked on a nightly basis.

Quenneville will surely provide Matheson with a reduced role, hence taking significantly less pressure off Matheson defensively.

The new coaching staff can unequivocally rectify the main issues with Matheson: giveaways and a lack of physical toughness defensively.

Those aforementioned areas can become improved upon with the new defensive system being introduced in Florida.

Under the previous unsuccessful defensive system – headed by Bob Boughner and Jack Capuano – many of the Panthers defensemen experienced notable struggles.

But, with Quenneville now in the fold, Florida Panthers fans should certainly anticipate a promising season from Michael Matheson.

The native of Canada is only 25 years of age and possesses so much untapped potential. The new coaching staff must continue working with Matheson because he’ll undoubtedly take major steps forward in his development with proper guidance.

Despite a rough 2019 NHL campaign for the underachieving Florida Panthers, Michael Matheson will certainly develop into a much improved and polished top-four defenseman for the Florida Panthers in 2020.