Waivers for Justin Barron? Major development has just emerged

This week, the Canadiens organization welcomed a new defensemen to its ranks in David Reinbacher. Another could arrive very soon.

As if they didn't already have enough defenders in their ranks, two more could join the CH or the Rocket by the end of the current campaign in Lane Hutson and Adam Engstrom.

It was already difficult to get everyone playing time, both in Montreal and in Laval, so just imagine what it will be like when the two newcomers are there. Already, with just the arrival of Reinbacher, coach Jean-François Houle has to make difficult choices. This weekend, it was Mattias Norlinder who was penalized and cut from the lineup.

In Montreal, we have a rotation where Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, Johnathan Kovacevic, and even sometimes Arber Xhekaj take turns sitting out. Imagine what it will be like when Hutson is with them...


One thing is for sure, the next camp will be very interesting. With no less than 12 defenders who can aspire to play in the big club, the battles will be great next September. As Mike Matheson recently mentioned in an interview with Arpon Basu for The Athletic, the current edition's players are very aware of it.

Drama and the end for Justin Barron within the Canadiens' organization? It has just been suggested as a possibility

Here are the 12 defensemen in question as reported by Charles-Alexis Brisebois from the site DLC:

Mike Matheson
David Savard
Kaiden Guhle
Arber Xhekaj
Jordan Harris
Johnathan Kovacevic
Jayden Struble
Justin Barron
Logan Mailloux
David Reinbacher
Lane Hutson
Adam Engstrom

Looking at this lineup, it is now more than certain that Kent Hughes will move one sooner rather than later. While many think Jordan Harris will be the player sacrificed, others lean more towards Justin Barron.

Indeed, the contractual situation of the one who was acquired, among other things, for Artturi Lehkonen, may push Kent Hughes to move as early as this summer when the defenseman becomes a restricted free agent. He will also have to go through waivers next season, something he didn't have to do this season to join Laval.

Barron, 22, has collected 10 points in 25 games, in Laval, this season. He had accumulated 12 in 41 games during his stint with the big club. While he has often been disliked by fans, we must say that he has been providing valuable services with the Rocket, especially in recent weeks.

Seeing how skilled Kent Hughes is at trading players we think impossible to part with, we should not be surprised to see him succeed once again. It should also not be forgotten that the fact that Barron does not yet have a contract for the next campaign could be attractive to some GMs who would want to have full control over their new arrival.

If he is not traded this summer, Barron will have to try to impress during the next camp and thus increase his value. If he fails to do so, the CH could lose him for nothing by placing him on waivers.

A file to follow...


Via JUSTIN BARRON: LA SITUATION DU BALLOTTAGE FORCERA LE CH À SE DÉCIDER RAPIDEMENT