It’s a logjam for top four. Guehle, Mailloux, RB, Hutson, Barron, Matheson… crazy the amount of talent coming up. There aren’t enough spaces and we’re going to have to make some decisions.
You forgot Engstrom, IMO, which might end up the cheaper, but still quality, shutdown, pairing partner for Hutson with some physicality on top of it.
At some point, we'll have to choose between Matheson, Guhle, Hutson, Xhekaj, Engstrom, Harris Trudeau and Struble on the left side.
Even if you pull the curtain back all the way to Harris, inclusively, there's still 5 future quality candidates with upside to choose from on the left side!
The argument to move Matheson in the last year of his current contract (three years left), given the age range, especially if Hudson's talent translates immediately to the NHL when he makes the move there, carries a lot of weight, strictly based on the potential return if he keeps the production since returning from his injury last season!
That still leaves four candidates with real upside, with all potentially requiring a top-6 role.
Guhlea Xhekaj and Engstrom can all play the right side, so perhaps all four remain with Habs, with Engstrom being the pairing partner for Hutson?
Guhle - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Hutson - Engstrom
-OR-
Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson - Engstrom
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Notice I don't really have room for Barron on my top-6, because I believe we get plenty of offense from Reinbacher and Mailloux, compared to what we will get from Barron and I believe that Engstrom can shield Hutson better from his defensive limitations, all while supporting him offensively.
Hopefully, Barron takes a step uo this season, before Mailloux realistically challenges for a roster spot after the trade deadline or next season, and before reinbacj=her steps into the NHL.
That way, we can get an interesting return for him, at least?
Same goes for Harris.