Short term, we hope Guhle can replace Matheson in a 1st pairing role, dropping the veteran's ridiculous TOI totals to a more respectable 22 minutes or so, including special team minutes on the PK and the PP.
How long before Hutson pushes for an NHL spot?
If Hutson comes up and plays in Laval next season, for example, we should still see Matheson in a 1st pairing role, IMO. That would be throughout his next to last season on his current contract.
In Matheson's last season, Hutson should be starting in Montreal, likely as a 3rd pairing D with sheltered minutes involving O-zone starts and a PP role.
That year, Guhle should be the first pairing D with Reinbacher as a shutdown pairing partner that provided offensive upside at the same time. Savard would already be out of the picture the year before.
Hopefully, Mailloux would be ready to make a case for himself in the NHL, firsts a depth D, but with an increasing role if he can run with it when he sees ice time.
In three years:
Guhle - Reinbacher
Matheson - Barron
Hutson - Xhekaj
Harris, Mailloux, Kovacevic
By trade deadline that year, or the year before,Hughes will likely have made or make a move involving moving a D.
It could be Matheson who would have built a value with his offensive production by then,or he might actually be re-signed as a veteran presence by Hughes, especially since Matheson can play both sides and be a stabilizing element to the young D-Corps.
Then, it could be Barron, with Mailloux in the wings who can also play an offensive role.
It could be Mailloux, but one would hope he had played enough and well at theNHL levelly then to raise his trade value beyond just potential.
