Habs Daily: Barron and Carrier Trade Analysis, Slafkovsky’s Stats

The Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Wednesday.

Montreal Canadiens

ICYMI: Juraj Slafkovsky was returned to the top line, but their improved results were lost in the wake of Patrik Laine’s fantastic hat trick performance. It’s a small sample size, but since being reunited with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, Slafkovsky’s stats have improved by leaps and bounds. [Canadiens Analysis: Slafkovsky’s Top Line Impact, Laine’s Situation]

The Habs made a trade ahead of the 2024 NHL Roster Freeze, sending defenceman Justin Barron to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Alexandre Carrier. While the initial trade to acquire Barron from the Avalanche backfired, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes demonstrated he’s capable  of pivoting when things do not go according to plan.

It’s impossible to avoid mistakes in professional sports, making the speed at which teams react to said mistakes a very important factor. As for the player the Habs acquired, Carrier should provide a much more reliable option for Martin St-Louis on the blue line, which is a luxury he’s rarely been afforded since he took over as head coach in 2022.  [Canadiens Instant Analysis: Barron For Carrier Trade Impact]

At times, the one-size-fits-all player cards that have gained popularity in recent years can seem off base, as they don’t necessarily tell the entire story. That is not the case for Barron, who may very well have the most accurate player card in history. His offensive impact was undeniable, as were his defensive issues.

Justin Barron, acquired by NSH, is a developing bottom pairing offensive defenceman with a good shot. #Preds pic.twitter.com/lqRswJAFjr

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) December 19, 2024

If you were curious, here’s Carrier’s card, which suggests he’s solid in his own end and can absorb minutes, exactly what the doctor ordered for a chaotic Canadiens blue line.

Alex Carrier, acquired by MTL, is a top-four defensive defenceman. I’ve been a fan for a few years but he’s having a tough season in a difficult role. At his best he plays an effective disruptive defensive game despite his small size and contributes a bit offensively. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/B6iYAQdFe8

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) December 19, 2024

Carrier and the Habs have some history, dating to when made a little contact with goaltender Samuel Montembeault, which led to a measured response by Arber Xhekaj’s standards.

Greg brings up a pretty interesting point here. It really feels like the Predators fumbled the whole Carrier situation, a lot like they fumbled the Yaroslav Askarov situation, not to mention the misread on the team’s potential success following the 2023-24 season. Barry Trotz is having an interesting time away from coaching, to say the least.

I need to meditate on Barry Trotz choosing not to trade Alexandre Carrier last deadline, signing him to a 3-year extension and then trading him for a 23-year-old that may not become anything close to Alexandre Carrier as an NHL defenseman…

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 19, 2024