The Canadian | Arrival of Alexandre Carrier: between enthusiasm and sorrow

(Brossard) Stability, experience and consistency. These are the three words that were used the most by the Canadiens players on Thursday morning to describe their new teammate, Alexandre Carrier.

It’s often the same thing the day after a trade: players are torn between the enthusiasm of seeing a new teammate arrive, who should help the team, and the sadness of seeing a friend leave. Thursday was no exception to the rule in the Canadian’s locker room.

Let’s start with enthusiasm. Because there is excitement about the acquisition of defender Alexandre Carrier, in return for, remember, Justin Barron.

Several players said they knew Carrier, especially having trained with him during the summer. This is the case of Mike Matheson, who has worked alongside his Quebec counterpart for several years during the off seasons; he also exchanged a few text messages with the newcomer on Wednesday evening.

“He’s a very good guy,” said number 8. “I think he’ll be really comfortable in our group. »

« [J’aime] his consistency, he continued. He is very strong. The level of defense he can play is very high. Just the fact that he’s been there for years…he has a lot to bring to the team. We’re excited to have it. »

“He’s a little older, he’s a veteran,” noted Kaiden Guhle. He’s been playing pro for a long time. He’s another French speaker, for the Quebecers in the group! It will be pleasant. »

Carrier’s experience seems to be one of the aspects that pleases the most, both on the players’ side and on the side of the head coach, Martin St-Louis. The 28-year-old defensive-minded defenseman has played 245 games in the National League thus far in his career, all with the Nashville Predators. His best season, statistically speaking, was 2021-2022; he scored 30 points, including 27 assists, and concluded the year with an eloquent differential of +26.

“You can’t buy that experience,” St-Louis emphasized. To have a guy who has it, I think it’s going to help our group today. »

If the head coach admitted that he does not “know much” Carrier, he praised his “fairly high level of combativeness”. “He’s not the biggest player, but he plays much bigger than his size. He is a player capable of killing penalties and taking minutes. »

Carrier, a right-handed defender, will certainly bring more depth to CH’s current defense, according to St-Louis. “I feel like I won’t have to worry too much about matchups because I know he can play against the best lines. »

“It’s part of the business”

The Justin Barron trade isn’t really a surprise; the Nova Scotian struggled to establish himself and find his place within the Habs’ defensive brigade.

“It’s a part of the job that’s not the fun, when you have a player who leaves, a player you spent time with,” explained St-Louis. I liked it, working with JB. He’s a good young player. But that’s part of the business. »

Obviously, Kaiden Guhle, who we know to be a “good friend” of Barron, was sad to see him go, even if “it’s part of the game”. However, he was excited to know that the latter would have another chance to make his place in the big league in Nashville.

“His defensive game has improved a lot this year,” he said. I think it will be good for him to have a fresh start, to go somewhere new. Nashville is a cool place where to live, he likes country music, so I think it will work out for him! »

Mike Matheson recalled how hockey involves “a lot of confidence”. A confidence that Barron, clearly, was looking for recently.

“I hope he goes to Nashville and has a chance to get his confidence back to show how he can play because I know he can be a very special player. »

“I don’t know if he wanted a new opportunity,” continued the veteran. I think he wanted an opportunity, that’s for sure. And that’s natural. I don’t think there’s anyone in the league who doesn’t want to play. He didn’t always get the chance to do that here. »

“Ready for this”

The Canadian is entering a home stretch before Christmas. After his 6-1 victory against the Sabers on Tuesday, he is preparing to face the Detroit Red Wings, who are only three points ahead of him in the standings, twice in two days. Samuel Montembeault will keep goal for the eighth game in a row this Friday.

Wednesday’s transaction sends, in a way, the message that the Canadiens’ leaders have not abandoned their group for the rest of the season.

“I think it shows that they really want to progress and reach another level as a team,” said Matheson to our colleague Luc Gélinas, from RDS. We are here, we are ready for this. »

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The visit of the general manager of the Canadiens, Kent Hughes, to Russia has caused a lot of talk in recent days. Accompanied by advisor Vincent Lecavalier and co-director of recruiting Nick Bobrov, Hughes went to observe his first-round pick in the last draft, Ivan Demidov, and took the opportunity to meet the management of SKA Saint Petersburg. In the context of the war which has lasted for almost three years in Ukraine, this visit to the country of Vladimir Putin was poorly received by many. Questioned by Jonathan Bernier, from Montreal Journalon this decision by Hughes, St-Louis refused to comment. “I will not comment on that,” simply replied the CH head coach.