Yeah, Montreal's current prospect strength is D, so trading the only vets we have is silly unless we replace them. Matheson is overwhelmed because he's not a #1 D, imagine forcing Ghule to play those minutes instead while he's supposed to develop.
Guhle handled those minutes fine last year while Matheson was injured, BTW, but, anyhow, Matheson's value might be at it's highest at next year,s trade deadline,especially if Hughes holds back salary.
A productive, veteran, PMD who can play on a 2nd pair and not be overwhelmed, at only 2.4375M, for a playoff run and another season would be extremely valuable. More valuable than as a pure rental 2026, IMO.
By the trade deadline next season, Guhle will have over 2 seasons of NHL experience and he's already a steadying influence, most nights, on D. Playing alongside Reinbacher, instead of who-knows-what-will-happen Barron should not be a concern for the head coach.
Savard should really be playing on a 3rd pairing already as he's also clearly overwhelmed by his current first pairing assignation alongside Matheson, even if his role is just to hang back as Matheson takes off with the puck.
Both Xhekaj and Mailloux could benefit from starting next season in Laval as a pairing there.
I'm not saying that Struble is better than either, or that he has a better ceiling, but he's a safer, more reliable defensive option and can be used to help build Barron's trade value until next year's trade deadline when he and Savard can both be placed on the trading block.
Hutson can also start the year in Laval, after eliminating any chances of returning in the NCAA once he joins Montreal at the end of this season to burn a year off of his ELC.
Engstrom should also turn pro next year and would likely be the pairing partner for Hutson in Laval.
Once Matheson and Savard are moved, the pairing of Xhekaj - Mailloux can be brought up from Laval to round out the season as a pairing in the NHL. Hutson can also join the NHL roster alongside Struble who will play the stay-at-home role to protect Hutson.
Struble plays a physical brand of hockey and can fight anyone who tries to manhandle the man child, Hutson. Struble can also play RD (as a lefty) -- he has in the past. He also has the skating and IQ to keep up with any offense generated by Hutson, but, especially, to help recover from any turnovers that Hutson might have given up.
Starting D-Corps for 2024-2025:
Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Savard
Struble - Barron
Harris
Post deadline D-Corps once Hughes has traded Matheson for a haul, Barron for a project/prospect and Savard for a 2nd rounder:
Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson- Struble
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Harris
As with Mailloux, Engstrom would benefit from another year in Laval, in this case, for more experience on North American ice, but could be called mid-season to better complement Hutson if the experience with Struble doesn't pan out.
Possible 7-man D-Corps in 2025-2026:
Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson- Engstrom
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Struble
Yes, the D would be young, but Reinbacher's ability to close the gap and Guhle's acquired NHL experience should enable them to hold their own, defensively, in the NHL. Reinbacher, initially playing more of a shutdown role as he gets used to the NHL, should enable Guhle to continue developng his offensive game there.
Hutson would be protected by Struble after two thirds of a year in Laval and Xhekaj - Mailloux, once the trade deadline has passed, would benefit from the chemistry developed playing together in Laval.
