Matheson (abdomen) participated in his first full-contact practice with teammates Friday and could be active Saturday against the Flyers, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson skated on a pairing with Joel Edmundson, a sign that the team plans to make him available against the Flyers, while Arber Xhekaj skated on the fourth pairing with Chris Wideman. Montreal also cleared a roster spot Friday by sending Rem Pitlick to AHL Laval. Matheson was a key offseason acquisition who can provide a veteran presence for a largely youthful blue line.