But why
These are all kids who can develop at their own pace and play on ELCs on different pairings with different skillsets. The McGMs need an intervention as it is with trading the prospects.
Schuldt, Hague and Coghlan can spend another 2 years in the AHL without passing through waivers. Whitecloud should be a proper NHLer by at least the beginning of next season.
Plus there's almost a year age gap from one prospect to another (Bischoff is 25, Schuldt is 24, Whitecloud is 22, Coghlan is 21 going on 22 Hague is 20 going on 21...)
I would push back that Hague, Schuldt and Coghlan would spend that many seasons in the AHL. None of them would happy about that. Coghlan and Hague especially probably don't need that.
To be more precise, I think we could look into trading Schuldt if it helps us this season unless he makes himself impossible to trade.
Hague will be better, and so is Schmidt and Theodore on the left side, as well as McNabb who is on a cheap NHL contract and brings a physical presence that Schuldt never will.
Bischoff can be a good 6-7 defenseman. Schuldt is also on a one year contract, he will not be on a cheaper contract or enjoy seasons in the AHL when he could get a better shot on another team.
We have Coghlan and Whitecloud on the right side so holding on to them is important.
Demin, Bouchard and Korczak are behind this group. There are also always veteran defensemen rolling around for year or two contracts.
So, I'm saying, if we need a veteran defenseman for a playoff run Schuldt and a 2nd/3rd would be fine. Or even a cheaper third line winger that allows the team to trade a forward for cap in the future to spend on defense. Unless Schuldt can push himself to the forefront of our young defensemen but I haven't seen that.