Montreal Canadiens deal Justin Barron to Nashville for Alexandre Carrier

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Wednesday night that general manager Kent Hughes dealt defenseman Justin Barron to the Nashville Predators for Alexandre Carrier.

Barron played the past four seasons with the Canadiens, after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche for Arturri Lehkonen. Lekhonen went on to be an impact player for the Avalanche, who won the Stanley Cup. It didn't work out for Barron, but Kent Hughes took advantage of Barron's age and potential.

Carrier, 28, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators and made his NHL debut during the 2016-2017 season. Carrier has spent much of his time split between the Milwaukee Admirals and Predators roster. As of 2021-2022, Carrier has established himself as an NHL-calibre defenseman.

The Quebec City, Quebec., native has played 28 games this season for the struggling Predators. You have to think that he is fired up to play in his home province for the historic Montreal Canadiens. Carrier addresses a need in the lineup, who Martin St Louis can lean on for top four minutes.

Barron had all different tools, and probably much higher potential than Carrier, but he just couldn't make consistent smart plays with the puck. For whatever reason, Barron can't defend well enough to stick in an NHL lineup. it's unfortunate that Barron didn't work out for the Canadiens, but the Habs need to see growth and improvement, and judging by the move, Hughes lost his patience.

Best of luck to Barron in Nashville, and welcome to Montreal Alexandre.

What does Carrier bring to Montreal?

Carrier shores up a top-four right defence spot, which was a need for the entire season; evidently moving Johnathan Kovacevic bit the Habs a bit. But Hughes made a quick recovery by moving out a player who no longer fit into the picture, for a veteran who will help the team immediately. I don't expect that Carrier is going to move the needle offensively, but Carrier is a guy who can be a stout defensive presence, allowing his partner to pinch.

The right-shot defender is a minute muncher, who will surely play north of 20 minutes per game while chipping in on the penalty kill. Having guys like David Savard and Carrier in the lineup balances the youth-to-veteran ratio on the backend. They also allow Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle to skate the puck up through the neutral zone.

If nothing else, Carrier gives the Habs options to move Savard down the road and stay young enough. There is also time for Logan Mailloux to continue developing and David Reinbacher to rehab his injury, while the Habs keep the roster competitive. There is a definite need going forward for high potential right-shot defenseman in Montreal, but Carrier plugs a hole for the foreseeable future.