Predators trade veteran Alexandre Carrier to Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron on Wednesday ahead of the NHL holiday roster freeze.

Carrier, 28, has seven points and was a minus-14 in 28 games this season for the struggling Predators. He averaged 20:08 per game, up from his previous two seasons in Nashville and the third most among all skaters this season for the Predators. That ice time includes 2:44 per game on the penalty kill, which was second most on the Predators. Carrier primarily played on a pairing with Jeremy Lauzon this season.

Although Carrier is known for his defense, he has shown some offensive upside in the past, including 30 points in 2021-22 as a rookie.

Carrier, a native of Quebec, was the subject of trade speculation last season before re-signing with the Predators for three years and $11.25 million in July. He last played on December 7 and was listed as “week to week” due to an upper body injury.

Barron, a 23-year-old defenseman, has one goal and was a minus-4 in 17 games for the Canadiens. He is averaging 14:43 per game, down from last season. Barron blocks shots and plays with physics.

Barron, who plays left and right on defense, has two years left on his deal with a $1.15 million cap hit before he can become a restricted free agent.

Before the season, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis Barron’s skating and physical play, but said Montreal wanted more consistency from its young defenseman.

“If JB plays 20 minutes, he might have the puck for one minute max and there’s 19 minutes where he doesn’t want the puck. So how committed are you?” St. Louis said, via Sportsnet. “Do you box out? Do you block shots? I think he’s made good improvements on this, and it’s good that he has. Now it’s about consistency in those elements. That’s what he has to find.”

The NHL’s annual holiday freeze begins Friday and runs through Dec. 27.