Ever since he was in novice hockey Justin Barron has been a defenseman.
His dad coached him and in one game he put Justin on the blue line and ever since he’s stuck to playing the position.
“He put me back there and I kind of fell in love with it and stuck with it,” Barron said.
Now he’s 10 games into his stint with the Nashville Predators after being traded for Alexander Carrier from the Montreal Canadiens. Barron scored his first goal as a member of the team last week and has started to feel at home.
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“I feel pretty good. I’ve been getting more comfortable as games and practices have come by,” Barron said. “The systems were quite a bit different when I first got here as opposed to Montreal. There’s been an adjustment period but I feel more confident now.”
Part of that positive feeling comes from skating with captain Roman Josi. He has for the last seven games and his new captain has noticed his progress as well.
“He’s a really good skater. I think that’s the one thing that’s impressed me the most,” Josi said. “He jumps into holes, he’s a great skater, and plays with confidence. He’s not afraid to make plays and skate the puck up. It’s been fun to play with him.”
The 23-year-old still feels like he can sharpen his pay while playing in Nashville’s system and alongside Josi. Since the pace of Andrew Brunette’s system demands speed and accuracy Barron senses that’s made it easier for him to jump up into plays.
“I want to keep getting better. I think I’ve done a good job of jumping into holes at times, still think I can do a little more with the puck on my stick,” Barron said. “That’s going to come as I continue to get comfortable with the guys. Continue to trust my skating ability to get into plays.”
As a junior defenseman playing in the QMJHL Barron was coveted for his offensive ability and admitted that he’s struggled with production in the NHL. While playing for the Halifax Mooseheads he posted 112 points in 186 regular season games.
So far in the NHL he has 121 games and 32 points to his name split across three NHL teams. This season he has a goal with Montreal and Nashville.
While Barron wishes points were falling his way he understands that his defensive play will separate him at the top level.
“What’s going to keep you in the league is being good and reliable defensively and that’s just a part of my game that I’ve put a lot of focus on in the last couple of years,” Barron said. “Just being a reliable guy back there. Being more physical and using my skating to kill plays. The more you kill plays the more you can play with the puck and get a chance to jump up on offense.”
Another aspect of Barron’s game that’s been taking steps in his progression as an NHL D-man is his ability to retrieve pucks in his own end that go into either corner.
With a larger frame, he can effectively drive in whichever direction he opts to go. Now he just needs to piece together taking the extra second to look up the ice or anticipate his next move with the puck.
“Sometimes it can be a tight turn wheeling around the net. It’s another thing I’m trying to improve at, reading where the forecheck is coming from and trusting my legs to make a move and be a forechecker,” Barron said.
He’s hopeful as he continues to make his transition with the Predators that more looks will come offensively. Barron’s best one yet was created by one of the most revered defensemen in the NHL.
“Those are the kinds of plays where I think I can help produce offensively. Jumping into those holes as the third or fourth guy,” Barron said. “Josi made a nice play there and I had a free lane to the net and it ended up going in.”
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators
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