I think the guy can play NHL?
Definitely not meeting the projections yet.
I think the worse thing for Barron is that he doesn't seem to have that one skill a coach can use. Xhekaj intimidates, Newhook skates like the wind, Armia has strong puck protection skills, Savard blocks shots, etc. He isn't doing much that is noticeable, and he certainly doesnt have any tools that compete with what Matheson brings.
It really is too bad, because Mtl currenly has Savard and Kovacevic on the RD right now, with 2-3 others LD taking on RD. Habs management is just waiting for the D core to grow up and for someone to step up and give them a reason to trade those two. This would be the perfect time for him, but the habs went with someone else (Struble?) who can give them something that stands out.
With Mailloux and Reinbacher pushing, and Hutson possibly better at an O role, I question Barron's future with the habs. Hopefully Laval has series and he does good for himself. He is young and i think he will probably have a career in the NHL, but he is looking more like a Mark Streit type than a Markov right now.
I dont think he has much value right now, so i keep him in laval to see if he can boost it.