The Montreal Canadiens made an unexpected transaction on Wednesday night, swapping Justin Barron for defenceman Alexandre Carrier in a trade with the Nashville Predators.
And as with anything that happens with the Canadiens, fans reacted quickly. Luckily, the reception to the deal has been positive — for the most part.
This is a W in my book
— Ozempic Habs (@Joey_Bnqz27) December 19, 2024
KENT HUGHES W
— Gab (@GabiSports) December 19, 2024
In kent we trust🚀
— Fratello (@Mellow_Fratello) December 19, 2024
Honestly, really nice pick up ! https://t.co/4Sxuz5RN17
— Lane Hutson Fanclub (@mat_fortier) December 19, 2024
Once the trade was announced, many X users pointed out that acquiring the 28-year-old Quebec native helped solve some of the Habs’ defensive issues, which included a lack of experience on the backend.
There’s only upside to this trade
More reliable, more offensive, more defensive, reasonable term which means low risk, leadership, right handed
I’d love it if he was under 3 million a season, but that’s the only criticism I can have here, and it’s minimal
— Cheering The Logo 📝 🎙 💻 (@CheeringTheLogo) December 19, 2024
Trade makes sense and addresses the need for experience with RHD. Good age to be here for a stint as a home tome boy.
— Demone (@HabsGreaseGame) December 19, 2024
Meanwhile, hockey analysts questioned the motives of Predators GM Barry Trotz, who recently re-signed Carrier to a three-year extension.
I need to meditate on Barry Trotz choosing not to trade Alexandre Carrier last deadline, signing him to a 3-year extension and then trading him for a 23-year-old that may not become anything close to Alexandre Carrier as an NHL defenseman…
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 19, 2024
I have seen more than enough of Justin Barron to say with extreme confidence that he is not an NHL player. Carrier very much is.
Not sure what’s going on in Nashville but Trotz continues to sell off good players for spare parts. https://t.co/06SyPcvrYe
— Alex Moretto (@alexjmoretto) December 19, 2024
Given Carrier’s proficiency on the penalty kill, some Habs fans are predicting that he will one day replace veteran anchor David Savard.
So a Savard replacement? https://t.co/9hROZxMIUH
— Emma X (@emmalicioussa) December 19, 2024
He’s going to replace Savard going forward
— Mika (@KostaMika) December 19, 2024
Still, others are warning Montreal supporters not to expect Carrier to move mountains.
I do hope Habs fans will have realistic expectations of Carrier. They did not trade Barron for a star player. He is safe, steady, uses his skating to defend but that’s it. He won’t electrify the Bell Center.
— Rick Springhetti (@Rick1042) December 19, 2024
Worthy of an honourable mention, the strangest take on the trade came courtesy of X user @Relayer1200, who shared the following explanation for why Trotz wanted Barron.
It comes down to this.
A GM with no neck could not resist the temptation of lunging for the long-necked player. Probably some compensation going on. 💀 pic.twitter.com/B6xugoWhft
— Jonathan R (@Relayer1200) December 19, 2024