at 6-5, Matier is a tower blueliner who is able to gum up lanes for opposing players. Expectedly, his offensive contributions have been minimal, and in 57 AHL games, he has scored once, and added eight assists. He shoots minimally- less than once a game- and for a big fella, doesn’t get into too many skirmishes, sporting only 16 penalty minutes in 40 games last year. If Matier makes the NHL, he doesn’t appear to move the needle much on the fantasy radar. Training camp will let us know if he’s due to see more time in Nashville or Milwaukee in 2026.

Matier was arguably one of Nashville’s most improved prospects this year. The 6-5 blueliner had an outstanding year for the Ottawa 67’s with 13 goals and 49 points in 58 games while still being one of the most defensively sound defenseman in the OHL. Unfortuately, Ottawa fell flat on their run towards the OHL championship and a Memorial Cup bid but overall, Matier really raised his stock in the organization this season. He is now with the Milwaukee Admirals admist their playoff run and he looks set to turn pro in 2023-24. Matier may not become a top-four defenseman at the NHL level but there is no reason why he can’t become a reliable third-pair type player.

Hockey Canada has released their roster for the 2023 World Junior Championship, and with his point-per-game start to the season, Matier has earned a spot on Team Canada’s blueline. He looks set to lineup beside Blackhawks prospect Kevin Korchinski on the third pair and he should see a good amount of penalty-killing time. This tournament could be Matier’s true coming-out party to the rest of the hockey world.

Matier has been off to a hot start in the OHL. The 67’s blueliner is on pace for 28 goals and 84 points, which outpace fellow fourth-year defensemen, Ethan Del Mastro and Logan Mailloux. For a player who most views as defense-first, the offensive outbreak is a positive development. The Preds look to have a good one in Matier, and his progression continues to be trending upwards.

Matier was the backbone of the 67’s blueline this season. Named an alternate captain, Head Coach Dave Cameron relied on him to be a difference-maker, and that he was. His expected time on ice per game was close to 23 minutes, the most by far on Ottawa. Although his offensive upside remains limited, he is a reliable player on the back end and will be a long-term project for the Predators’ development team.