Preds & Canadiens Swap Alexandre Carrier For Justin Barron

Preds & Canadiens Swap Alexandre Carrier For Justin Barron

The NHL’s holiday roster freeze is almost here. The NHL does not allow trades from December 20 – 27 because of the Christmas season. Teams are rushing to get deals in and we have a swap of D men right before the deadline. The Predators and Canadiens have swapped Alexandre Carrier and Justin Barron.

The Canadiens team account was the first to report the news:

“Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Wednesday that the team has acquired defenseman Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron.”

I usually try to avoid bias in news stories but I’m finding a hard time doing it here. Can someone explain to me what Barry Trotz is trying to accomplish? Maybe it’s not an accident why the Preds stink right now.

Nashville just signed Carrier to an extension that runs through the 2026-27 campaign. Now he’s gone a few months after signing that deal. He’s a reliable 4th D guy for any team. Meanwhile, Barron hasn’t shown he can play a lick. He was included in the Artturi Lehkonen trade with Colorado and has been healthy scratched several times this year.

Nashville gets a younger player and saves some cap space. Beyond that, I have no idea what this accomplishes. I also have no idea how you re-sign Carrier and take this as a return. Does Trotz think this deal will solve his problems?

William Carrier: The Most Underrated 4th Liner In The League?

Carrier, 28, has recorded seven points (one goal, six assists) in 28 contests for Nashville this season. The former 4th round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft is currently on IR but usually skates around 20 minutes per night in a top four D man role.

Barron, 23, has one goal and zero assists in 17 games for Montreal this year.

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