I feel bad for Barron, MTL media is gonna be rough on him

why?

It's not a question of having space for him. Don't rush your youngsters. That's what derailed Kirby Dach's progress. Let Slafkovsky get his feet wet while excelling in the AHL until that excellence FORCES the front office to bring him up after, as you intimate, the trade deadline.

Give slaf 9 games and then keep him in the AHL I think

I do not think that is the end of the world. Better to develop in AHL than struggle in NHL then get sent down IMO.

playing him way above his head he coming off an injury too.

Its a season to develop youth, not to compete. I don't think pressure will be as mad as some people think.

He has real skill and good skating but his hesitation moving the puck out and lack of hockey iq will limit him as he adjusts to the nhl speed. I think he will be a solid 2nd pair rhd in a few years but those growing pains will come with some harsh critics.

Comp to other former Av, if he had Timmins's iq or Timmins had his skating, good lawwd.

Tell that to the media. they'll get a highlight goal and expect him to be the 2nd coming of Weber

putting him in the top 4 he's likely going to get lit up.

More then likely Barron will be fighting for a spot with Wideman and another player not yet on the team. With the current cap situation for a lot of teams around the league, after training camp there will be A LOT of players of waivers. Habs having 1st dibs, will most likely pick up a defensemen. That's my guess anyway.