Matheson Ready for Fresh Start in Pittsburgh

Mike Matheson was in Florida training with his wife Emily, a standout defenseman for Team USA, when trade rumors started swirling on Wednesday morning.
Once the news became official Thursday night that the Penguins acquired the defenseman and forward Colton Sceviour from the Panthers in exchange for winger Patric Hornqvist, Mike and Emily couldn't have been more thrilled.

"It's bittersweet leaving our friends and leaving everyone that we've gotten to know in Florida and moving on to this new chapter, but I think we're both really excited - especially me - to be able to play for an organization like Pittsburgh and in a hockey town like Pittsburgh," Matheson said.
"I wish the season was starting tomorrow," he continued with a laugh. "It's tough to get news like this and have to wait a few more months to be able to get on the ice with everyone. But I'm super excited to get going and to get to Pittsburgh, start practicing with the guys. It's definitely given me a big spark and has given me a new life, new expectations for myself. And I just can't wait to get started."

The 26-year-old defenseman is viewing the trade as a great opportunity for a fresh start after his last season in Florida didn't go as planned.
Matheson, who was taken by Florida in the first round (23rd overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft held in Pittsburgh, finished his fourth full season with the Panthers with eight goals - which led team defensemen - and 20 points in 59 games played.
However, he was a healthy scratch at times throughout the season, including the last two games of Florida's Qualifying Round matchup against the New York Islanders. Matheson also got moved up to forward for a game, like Juuso Riikola did at times last season with Pittsburgh.
But despite all of that, Sceviour was impressed by how Matheson handled those situations, particularly the night he played forward.
"He obviously was probably not happy playing forward or whatever, he would rather play defense," Sceviour said. "But he went out there and made it the best of it and had a three-point night and helped us win. So, he's one of those guys that whether it's the position he necessarily wants to be in or not, he's going to give you everything he has.
"And then when he has a chance to practice the next day, he's going to work on whatever it is that maybe he wasn't doing well that got him in a position and try to better himself so that it doesn't happen again sort of thing. That's kind of how he handles any sort of adversity."
Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford feels that working with Pittsburgh's coaching staff, particularly assistant Todd Reirden, will help Matheson get his game back where it needs to be.
When Matheson is at his best, Sceviour said the 6-foot-2, 188-pound blueliner can skate as well as almost anyone in the league. Matheson has a 'cannon' of a shot and great offensive instincts. His style of play fits perfectly with how the Penguins want to play.
"When I've seen Pittsburgh play, I've always kind of had it in my head that they play a game that that I would love to be a part of," said Matheson, who is a left-handed shot but comfortable playing on the right side. "And so, I think that the way they play will compliment my skill set well, and that I'll hopefully be able to assimilate into their lineup and be able to help as much as possible."
And for Matheson, he's looking forward to learning from his new teammates, particularly Kris Letang. Both players are from Quebec (Letang is from Montreal while Matheson is from Pointe-Claire), so during a typical offseason, they both train with Jonathan Chaimberg at Adrenaline Performance Center in Montreal.
Instagram from @mmatheson19: Another great summer of work. Thank you @jonchaimberg and @kletang\_58 for pushing me to get better every day #apcgym
"Kris Letang is a guy that I've always looked up to," Matheson said. "Hopefully I don't annoy him (laughs), but I'll be trying to learn as much as possible from him and I know that he'll be going hard in practices and challenging me, and so I'm just super excited to experience that and to get better. And then obviously learn from all the other great players that they have in that lineup and pick up tools that they have in their repertoire and hopefully add it to my game."
That's one of the reasons that Sceviour is excited to be joining the Penguins.
"You look at the team and instantly you go, okay, it's a Stanley Cup contender and that's exciting for any time you look at a team you're on," Sceviour said. "To be a part of that and be prepared for that, that's No. 1."

The 31-year-old is a solid veteran forward who can play up and down the lineup and chip in offensively here and there, but the biggest impact Sceviour will have is defensively - particularly on the penalty kill.
"I take pride in that, I take pride in that most of the years I've been in the NHL I've been part of a top-10 penalty kill," Sceviour said. "It's a hard situation sometimes when you're going out there like that, but anytime you can kill a penalty, especially in big situations, it's exciting. That's something I want to continue to do."
Matheson called Sceviour's penalty killing ability 'unbelievable.'
"He blocks everything," Matheson said. "He's very intelligent in reading the power play and is always a great guy to have on an energy line. If things aren't going well for your team, you can put his line out there and he'll go grind the other team down and spend the whole shift in the offensive zone; get a bunch of chances and wear down the opposition. He also has the ability to score and make plays offensively. So, I think he's a great, great player and I'm happy that we're headed to Pittsburgh together."