While it seems counterintuitive based on current team needs, I’m looking at what the defence could be in the future (as soon as next year) and I think adding Dobson has enormous potential to push the Habs into contention.
1) Reinbacher and Dobson are not redundant or all that similar - I think Reinbacher’s play/role ends up closer to Guhle with more capacity to activate offensively. Reinbacher is the big, physical, defensive RD we’re looking for and he’s knocking on the door.
2) The need to make a move for a veteran, top-4, defensive RD doesn’t hold as much weight for me when Matheson is gone, our young players are more experienced, Reinbacher is on the team, and we’ve addressed some defensive issues up front. IMO, it’s a reactionary move to this playoffs more than a long term building block.
3) I do see a bottom pairing, PKing role for a RD as a need.
4) It should be expected that Dobson at 25yrs old will mature into a more reliable player defensively. Same with Hutson. Add Dobson to the ridiculously long list of toolsy offensive defenceman that round their game out in their late 20s.
Guhle-Dobson
Hutson-Reinbacher
Xhekaj-XXXXX (Struble?)
In my mind, this is a really dynamic top-4. Replacing Dobson with a defensive defenceman doesn’t really add much.
Three guys that are 6’3 or taller and all over 200lbs. Guhle/Reinbacher more geared toward playing the body and capable of breaking up the cycle, clearing net front, and responding physically. Add in Xhekaj and a not Carrier-sized RD on the bottom pairing and I’ve got no concerns about physical play or size. There’s mobility, physicality, and shutdown potential on each pairing and I think the mix of size, IQ, and skating lends itself well to defending off either the rush or cycle. I really like the potential to deploy dedicated pairings situationally as well (i.e. Hutson-Dobson scoring, Guhle-Reinbacher shutdown).
Two top-10 offensive defenceman with different handedness and different approaches to creating offence? The potential for creative, positionless hockey or dynamic 5-man units is impressive. It would be exceptionally difficult for opposing teams to counter unless Dobson and Hutson both end up total shit defensively. If the group continues to develop, we could be looking at an extremely unique, flexible defence corps that gets the most out of our system at both ends of the ice.
If Dobson’s available, I’d prioritize him over any of the rumoured 2C options this year.
