Not so long ago, Justin Barron was the target of all criticism in Montreal.
Brought down in flames by the media and fans, the young defender had become the embodiment of an exchange considered one-sided in favor of the Montreal Canadiens.
He was mocked, called a mistake, and applauded for Kent Hughes for “stealing” the Nashville Predators by getting Alexandre Carrier in return.
However, reality is changing… and no one in Montreal seems to realize it.
In recent games, Justin Barron has started to show why the Predators bet on him.
Over the course of four games, he scored two goals, accumulated a +2 rating and now plays nearly 20 minutes per game.
His goal yesterday was magnificent.
Especially since the Predators, who lost 5-1 against the Sharks, made a spectacular comeback in a 7-5 victory.
A real turnaround for a player who was sent to the stands just a few weeks ago.
Barron has become a mobile defender, responsible in his zone and capable of making a significant offensive contribution.
His ease in restarting the game and his ability to support the attack are finally highlighted by the Predators’ playing system.
So why this radio silence on the Montreal side?
Remember that when he left, Barron was considered a dismal failure by the Montreal media.
Deemed too slow, too hesitant, and incapable of competing with CH’s young defensive brigade, he was relegated to the role of seventh defender.
Worse still, his errors were scrutinized and used as ammunition for analysts to justify his departure.
Upon arriving in Nashville, the nightmare continued. Criticized for his poor decisions, his lack of consistency and his questionable positioning, Barron seemed to be a player in distress.
Many observers went so far as to say that his NHL career was on the verge of extinction.
And yet, today, the tide is turning.
Why is no one talking about his comeback?
If the Montreal media has been quick to highlight every misstep of Barron’s, they are strangely silent now that things are improving for him.
For what? Because that would call into question the narrative that Kent Hughes pulled off a masterstroke by trading Barron for Carrier.
Let’s be clear: Alexandre Carrier is an excellent defender, and his impact with the Canadian is undeniable. But we must keep in mind one essential factor: Barron is much younger than Carrier.
At only 23 years old, he still has considerable room for improvement, where Carrier, at 28 years old, is already in his prime.
In addition, Barron has significantly greater offensive potential than Carrier. It’s no secret that Montreal has always struggled to develop its young offensive defenders, preferring to focus on more defensive and responsible players.
With Nashville, Barron has finally found an environment that allows him to express his full potential.
-It is still too early to declare a winner in this exchange. While Montreal undoubtedly benefited immediately from the addition of Carrier, Nashville could very well have the last laugh in the long term with Barron.
The Predators, in the midst of a rebuild, have the luxury of giving time and responsibility to their young defender.
And for now, Barron is delivering. He becomes a versatile player, capable of supporting the offense while solidifying his defensive coverage, a valuable asset for a team in transition.
It’s time to do him justice
If the Montreal media want to be credible, they must talk about this resurgence. Sure, Barron had some tough times, but he worked hard to get back on track and prove he belonged in the NHL.
This is not to claim that the trade was a mistake for Montreal, but simply to recognize that Barron is demonstrating that he still has a bright future ahead of him.
And that we may have to wait a few years before drawing definitive conclusions on this transaction.
Justin Barron proves that he is still a defender to watch. The Predators have invested in him, and that confidence is starting to pay off.
Meanwhile, Montreal should perhaps rethink the way it judges young players and remember that patience is sometimes the key to success.
In his last match, Barron had a difficult start to the game. In the first minutes, he committed a costly turnover that almost led to a goal for the opponent.
This type of error could have meant the end of his evening in Montreal, where the coaches never hesitated to bench him after a blunder.
But in Nashville, the approach is different. Head coach Andrew Brunette did not hesitate to continue to trust him.
Rather than relegating him to the end of the bench, he gave him the opportunity to get back together and prove his worth. And Barron did not disappoint.
Moments later, after regaining his bearings, Barron scored a crucial goal, helping to keep his team in the game.
He finished the game with a +2 differential, proving that one mistake doesn’t define a player, but rather how he reacts to that mistake.
Barron’s journey to Nashville is one of courage. In hockey, as in life, it is easy to fall.
What really matters is having someone who continues to believe in us, who reaches out to us despite the difficult times. Nashville understood this, and today, Barron is reaping the rewards.
In Montreal, this patience did not exist. As soon as he made a mistake, he was singled out, often reduced to watching the matches from the bridge.
In an organization in reconstruction which nevertheless advocated the development of young people, Barron was never entitled to this safety net.
A young player’s development is not linear, and sometimes all it takes is a little patience and confidence for them to reach their full potential.
The most disturbing thing about this affair is the total lack of recognition on the part of the Montreal media. They who were always ready to criticize Barron for each of his errors today remain strangely silent in the face of his progress.
For what? Because recognizing that Barron is being reborn in Nashville would be like admitting that the transaction that sent him to the Predators may be worth analyzing differently.
Barron is proving that, with the right support and support, he can silence the critics.
To be continued… and above all, not to be ignored.
