Another Solid Trade Completed by the Canadiens: Everything Went Right for Hughes in the Carrier Deal
Since Alexandre Carrier's arrival with the Montreal Canadiens, the early signs are encouraging. Acquired in a trade that sent Justin Barron to Nashville, Carrier quickly fills the gaps of a blue line that was often criticized in Montreal.
His toughness, defensive reliability, and ability to log significant minutes on the ice make him a valuable player for Martin St-Louis' squad.
In contrast, Justin Barron is having a very difficult start with the Nashville Predators.
In his first game, he played only 13 minutes, often as a seventh defenseman.
Things worsened in his second game, where he recorded a -3 rating in just seven minutes of ice time.
You read that right.
These disappointing performances raise questions about his adaptation to the NHL, particularly after analyst Tony Marinaro's criticism, who had already suggested that Barron lacked the toughness to establish himself in the North American league as we recently reported.
A transaction that becomes a big win for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens
I truly believe this is a unanimous opinion.
For Montreal, this trade indeed seems to be a solid success for now.
Carrier is quickly integrating into a rebuilding team, offering a rare mix of defensive consistency and physical intensity.
«Within the room there, he's been a very valuable piece. I'm not sure how much credit he's getting outside of the room but he deserves it. He's been a very good player for us. He's very consistent, we know what we're getting. We've gotten to know him very quickly. He's played well from his first shift in the games and practices. He's been a pleasant addition for us.»
While Nashville bet on Barron's long-term potential, current results indicate that the Canadiens undoubtedly got the better end of this deal, in my humble opinion.
However, it is important to note that Barron is still young, with time to develop and adjust his game.
Despite Carrier's promising start, the true verdict on this trade will only be known in a few years.
But for now, Montreal seems to have found a reliable defenseman to strengthen their blue line and stabilize the team as a whole.
Kudos to Kent Hughes for this.
