Justin Barron in Nashville, Alexandre Carrier Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens concluded a defense trade with the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. He gives up Justin Barron and obtains Alexandre Carrier.

Obtained from the Colorado Avalanche in March 2022 in a trade involving Artturi Lehkonen, Barron never managed to establish himself permanently within the Habs defensive brigade. He shuttled between Laval and Montreal in his first years in the organization and was limited to one point in 17 games with CH this season. He had collected 13 in 48 games in 2023-2024.

First round pick (25th overall) of the Avalanche in 2020, the 23-year-old rearguard has 13 goals and 31 points in 111 games spread over five seasons since his first steps in the Bettman circuit.

Carrier, 28, collected 7 points and has a differential of -14 in 28 games this season. He spent an average of 20:08 on the ice, including 2:44 shorthanded, the second most among Predators defensemen.

A 4th round pick by the Predators in 2015 (115th overall), Carrier has spent his entire career in Nashville. He has 11 goals and 58 assists for 69 points in 245 games, with a differential of +25.

In his first full season in the NHL, in 2021-2022, he had 30 points.

The Canadian faces the Red Wings in Detroit on Friday. He has a meeting with this same team the next day at the Bell Centre.

Carrier will be available for this home-and-away series. He will join his new teammates on Thursday, said a CH spokesperson.

With information from The Canadian Press