Matheson on the challenge of facing tougher matchups in Montreal:
My time in Pittsburgh was a good step in terms of my development. I was able to watch guys like Kristopher Letang and what he does in games and practices. I'm ready to take that next step, move forward, and take on those responsibilities. I know that it'll be a challenge, but I want a challenge like that.
Matheson on his struggles in recent years after signing a long-term contract:
I'm older now and more experienced. Would I rather have not gone through so many struggles here early on? No. They were very tough times on me and not easy times, but at the same time, they led to who I am now. It was a great learning experience. To be able to go through tough times is important for any player, if you can grow and use it to your advantage. I don't know if my contract affected things or not. Things definitely snowballed in Florida in a bad way. It didn't turn out the way I hoped for, but I don't think I'd go back and change anything because it was a huge learning experience and it has helped me and will continue to help me through the rest of my career.
Matheson on being a leader for the Canadiens' young defensemen:
All those players that are younger and kind of finding their way a little bit right now, they're there for a reason, so they don't need to earn the right to be in the position that they are. They got there by themselves. But at the same time, I think I can be very useful as somebody to lean on and to ask questions to. Even the last couple of years in Pittsburgh, I've been in the League for a while, but I was still looking to guys like Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin as guys that have been through so much more than I have been. I was watching them every day, what they do, their habits, having conversations about what it was like winning the Cup, and what the locker room was like. We talked about what led to those sorts of things coming together. I tried to take advantage of that and the friendships that I have with them to really try and learn as much as possible, and hopefully I can now pass that on.
Matheson on playing for his hometown team:
It'll be special. If you aren't from Montreal, it's tough to understand what this team means to the people. It's not just a team or a sport, it's a religion. I grew up watching this team. The Canadiens have always been my favorite team, so it'll be special to put the jersey on and hit the ice at the Bell Centre.