The Montreal Canadiens and Justin Barron Have Reached A New Deal

After resigning young, physical defender Arber Xhekaj to a new deal, it wasn't long after another young defender was also resigned to a similar deal. Justin Barron, originally a Colorado Avalanche first round pick, has been signed to a two-year, $2.3 million contract.

That means that he and Xhekaj are making almost the same amount for the same term, just with Xhekaj making a smidge more. Which does make sense. Xhekaj has pretty much solidified his spot on the NHL roster in the past two seasons, where Barron has bounced back and forth between the Canadiens and the Rocket.

In 2022-23, Barron played 39 games with the Canadiens, scoring 4 goals and 15 points, while playing 25 games in Laval. Last year was much of the same, with Barron playing 48 games with Montreal and 32 games with Laval. And his production stalled in the big leagues, scoring 7 goals and 13 points, two less than the year before in more games.

Barron is one of many young defenders that will be fighting for a roster spot this year, but this deal shows that Hughes and co. believe that Barron does still have a spot on the team, for at least two more years. This allows some flexibility when it comes to the next crop of defenders. If any of Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher or Lane Hutson aren't ready to make it to the NHL, the Canadiens have another option, and will give them time to develop and not rush them.

There's also the sunk cost fallacy. Barron was the centrepiece of the deal that sent a player many fans had fond memories of, Artturi Lehkonen, along with a second round pick (that pick was recently packaged with two others this year for the Canadiens to move up to select Michael Hage). Since going to the Avalanche, Lehkonen has been really solid in Colorado, especially in the playoffs, and even won the Stanley Cup.

That's a lot to compare to for a young defender, but he still has his strengths. Barron is a puck-moving defender that can and will step up to provide offense on the fast break or during periods of sustained pressure. He hasn't been able to take the next step to a full time NHLer, but the Montreal Canadiens have put their faith in him, and being just 22 years old, the Canadiens still hold full control over Barron after the deal, which is good in case Barron does make that next step which he is fully capable of doing.