Observations:

February 2017 – After representing Team Canada at the World Championships last summer, there were expectations for Matheson to make an impact at the NHL level this year. I believe Matheson has achieved that and much more as he has been one of Florida’s most impressive and consistent defenceman this season. In his first full NHL season, he currently has 14 points in 57 games. Moreover, Matheson has had great improvement to his play in the defensive zone and has shown his maturity with his newfound ability to bounce back from mistakes. He has shown his potential to provide offensive output with his excellent puck control and skating ability, although it will take him some time to adjust and evolve to play at the NHL level. Look for Matheson to be a big part of Florida’s top 4 in the coming years. Joel Gluss

February 2016 – The smooth skating defensemen was summoned from the AHL Pirates and experienced his first taste of the NHL in late February. After posting a modest 14 points in 43 games in his first full season as a pro, he was called up due to some injuries on the backend for the Panthers. Matheson has tremendous potential and could very well play his way into a regular role with the big club. The offensively gifted young rearguard is one to watch as he could establish himself as a fixture on the power play with his offensive prowess. Expect him to be an NHL regular next year if he gets sent back down this year once the team gets healthy. Lee Rayson

September 2015 – Keep an eye on the Panthers training camp as Matheson will have an opportunity to make the team as early as this year.  He got a taste of pro hockey late last season when he posted 2 points in 5 games with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.  The former first round pick in 2012 has shown tremendous development during his time at Boston College, and looks poised to push hard for a roster spot.  Recently completing his third season at Boston College, the skilled defensemen Matheson led his team in scoring with 25 points in 38 games.  Overall he has scored 71 points in 112 games with Boston College. Lee Rayson

December 2014 – Matheson has continued to become a more impactful player this season with Boston College as the talented defender has tallied 12 points in his first 17 games.  His 12 points puts him in a tie for the team scoring lead.  Matheson has already generated 47 shots in those 17 games which leaves him just one shot away from the team lead in that category also.  He is still aways from being a valuable fantasy relevant NHL player but is certainly worthy of keeping an eye on in the coming years. Lee Rayson 

November 2014 – Matheson has been named captain of the storied Boston College Eagles for his junior campaign. He has recorded four points through six games as he attempts to ecclipse his collegiate high of 25 points in his freshman year. Zach Hopkins

March 2014 – Matheson has 17 points in 35 games this season for the Boston College Eagles. From a fantasy standpoint more was expected from the sophomore who had 25 in his rookie year. BC is stacked but seems to get the majority of their offense from their forwards, including Hobey Baker candidate John Gaudreau (69 points). Nathan Kanter

January 2014 – Matheson continues to fare well in his sophomore College season for the BC as he has 13 points in 24 games, first of all Eagles defesemen. Matheson is a plus-17 on the season. The powerful BC team has a record of 17-4-3. At this point he may be worth picking up only in very deep keeper leagues as he is still at least 2 years away from the NHL and doesn't like to take many offensive risks. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – Matheson has posted seven points in the first 11 games of the season for BC. It's still early but those are solid totals for a defenseman who is likely to play a big role on a very good team. Nathan Kanter

June 2013 – The smooth-skating rearguard had an impressive freshman season at Boston College, posting eight goals and 17 assists in 36 games. These first-year totals were good enough for a nod to the All-Hockey East Rookie team. The Panthers are in no rush with their 2012 1st rounder as he will return for the Eagles in the fall. He's still at least another couple years away but certainly has potential as a point producing defenseman on a team with relatively no young point producers from the blueline other than Kulikov (Gudbranson and Petrovic will be mainstays but not on the scoresheet). Nathan Kanter

June 2012 – The Panthers select offensive defenseman Michael Matheson with the 23rd pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, PA. Brendan Ross

June 2012 – Coming off an all-star worthy rookie season in the USHL, Matheson displayed his fantastic skating ability unmatched by most other draft-eligible defensemen. The Boston College commit (for now) is a cerebral rearguard that plays a solid positional game projecting him as a solid two-way defenseman. He could see his name called as early as the first round as teams gravitate towards his strong passing game and his ability to play safely.

Fantasy Outlook: B+

Matheson’s upside is high and his responsible mistake-free approach would see him develop into a solid 40+ reliable defender, with upside for 50+

Footage:

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