Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Trade Justin Barron to Preds for Alexandre Carrier

The Canadiens trade Justin Barron to the Predators for Alexandre Carrier, as the two teams make a blue line change.

by
NHL Trade Talk
December 18, 2024

In another move ahead of the NHL roster freeze, the Montreal Canadiens have made a change to their blue line by acquiring defenseman Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron. The trade was announced by Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes on Wednesday.

The Canadiens have acquired defenseman Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron.

News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/eQ8yMQDwUp
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 19, 2024

Carrier, a 27-year-old Quebec native, has played 28 games for the Predators this season, contributing seven points (one goal, six assists) and logging an average of 20:08 of ice time per game. Known for his active stick and versatility, Carrier has been a key penalty killer, averaging 2:44 per game in shorthanded situations, the second-highest on Nashville’s roster. Over his 245 NHL games, Carrier has tallied 69 points (11 goals, 58 assists).

He has two seasons remaining on a deal that pays him $3.75M per season.

Justin Barron Alexandre Carrier trade — Justin Barron and Alexandre Carrier involved in blue line trade between Predators and Canadiens

Heading to Nashville is Justin Barron, a 23-year-old defenseman who scored one goal in 17 games for Montreal this season. Since being acquired by the Canadiens in 2021-22, Barron has recorded 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) across 109 NHL games.

As @JFreshHockey points out, Barron, now with Nashville, is a young, offensive-minded defenseman with a strong shot, suited for a bottom-pairing role. Carrier, heading to Montreal, is a skilled top-four defensive defenseman. Despite his smaller size, Carrier excels at disrupting plays and adds occasional offensive contributions. Though he’s struggled this season in a challenging role, his past performances show he can effectively anchor a defense and bolster the Canadiens’ blue line.

Barron is year one of a two-year deal that pays him $1.15M per season.

Barron and Carrier Trade the Third Ahead of the Roster Freeze

Teams have started making moves ahead of Friday’s roster freeze. This was the third trade in the NHL on Wednesday night in just over an hour’s time.

In earlier deals, P.O. Joseph was traded back to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Rangers traded Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken for Will Borgen and two draft picks.

More to come…

Next: Penguins Bring Back P.O Joseph in Trade with Blues