On the first day of training camp buzz, Mike Matheson chose clarity over uncertainty. The 31-year-old defenseman, entering the final year of his contract, made it known that he wants his future tied to the Montreal Canadiens — — a team led by Patrik Laine as part of its core. Speaking at the club’s annual charity golf tournament, Matheson signaled his outlook while negotiations with his agent remain ongoing.

For Matheson, a Montreal native, the message carried both personal and professional weight. After delivering 31 points in 80 games last season, he reaffirmed his desire to remain part of the club’s long-term plans.

“I’d like to stay here as long as possible,” he told La Poche Bleue Podcast in French, adding that his agent is handling the business side. The stakes are significant: Mat

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