The blue line continues to shift for the Nashville Predators as they dealt defenseman Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday evening. Nashville signed Carrier to a three-year $11.25 million deal back on July 1 after speculation that he could have hit the open market.
Defenseman Justin Barron came back the other way in the trade & it’s the second time he’s been dealt in his short professional career. In 17 games this season he has one goal & has oftentimes been left out of the Canadiens lineup.
“If anyone knows Carrier he has been a good defenseman for us. He’s gone through the system at Milwaukee & worked his way to the NHL and has been a solid player,” general manager Barry Trotz said.
“I wanted to put him in a situation where it made sense & he’s going back to Montreal where that’s home for him in the offseason,” Trotz said. “He’s going to provide Montreal with the same character & same leadership that he provided for us in our locker room.”
Nashville’s GM went on to admit he wanted to trade for Barron last season & it came down to the timing not making sense for the Predators & Canadiens. Trotz sees Barron as a defenseman who can contribute his physicality & offensive prowess once he develops in the system.
“What we’ve done in the past with developing defensemen – credit to our scouting – you see it now with the four guys we have up from the [AHL] playing in defense for us & contributing,” Trotz said. “We feel confident that Justin can fall into that & continue to grow with us. These are always tough decisions with people like Carrier.”
Forward Zachary L’Heureux was Barron’s teammate in the QMJHL during his first season with the Halifax Mooseheads. Barron was the captain as well before being elevated to the professional ranks.
“Having him as a captain was huge & being able to learn from him,” L’Heureux said. “I think he’s a great player overall, a two-way defenseman who can bring a lot to a team.”
Here’s a play with Barron & L’Heureux back in 2021. https://t.co/mqZu02o3ux
— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) December 19, 2024
After making his first visit to the Bell Centre earlier this month, L’Heureux shared what it’ll be like for Carrier to settle into his new digs as a member of the Canadiens organization.
“For his situation, he’s seen the league and he’s earned a role as a veteran. He’s built his ground so it’s going to be awesome for him to go home & play in front of his family,” L’Heureux said.
Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon loses his longtime defensive partner in the trade as well. Just this season the duo has played in 20 games together with the majority of last season being the same story barring any injury one of them had.
“Outside the rink, he’s one of my best friends so it’s always hard to lose a guy like this, we’re super close, it sucks but it’s a part of hockey,” Lauzon said. “I’m happy for him to go to Montreal – his hometown – I know his wife has just opened a clinic there so it’s a perfect fit for them.”
Having been dealt himself Lauzon shared what the two talked about after the news came out late on Wednesday night. Carrier is meeting Montreal in Detroit for their game on Friday night against the Red Wings.
“We talked a little bit last night and this morning and he was packing his stuff. It feels surreal when you get traded because your life goes from one side to another real quick and you try to be in the moment,” Lauzon said. “I told him to stick to it and appreciate the moment and go meet the new guys and try to make an impact right away.”
Notes Before Puck Drop
Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said that captain Roman Josi will not be returning to the lineup. Expect Marc Del Gaizo to step in and play against the Penguins after clearing waivers this afternoon.
“There’s a lot of balls in the air right now. There’s a lot of question marks. We’ll see with Del Gaizo, we’re not sure where everything falls into place & if Justin can get here on time.”
Cody Glass and Philip Tomasino make their return to face the Predators for the first time since being traded. The two have stalls next to each other back at Bridgestone Arena as they get ready to take the ice.
Trotz said Barron would be here when the plane could get him to Nashville.
“He was supposed to be here at like 9:15. I think he’ll probably arrive around 2:30 it looks like the last time we looked. We don’t expect him to play tonight, I don’t really think it’s fair. We called him last night & I think he was at the airport at like 3:30 or 4 in the morning to catch a 5 a.m. flight.”
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators
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