Justin Barron wants to show Canadiens management that he belongs in the NHL

Defenseman Justin Barron looked like he would finish the season playing for Laval of the AHL, but then Kayden Guhle suffered a concussion and the Canadiens lost Arber Hekage to season-ending shoulder surgery.

Just like that, Barron returned to Montreal last weekend. And with the regular season ending next Tuesday, Barron will finish the year with the Canadiens, giving him more of an opportunity to impress management. It might not necessarily be an audition, but he knows people are watching.

Content of the article

“These games are important, of course,” Barron said this week before the Canadiens embark on a three-game road trip. “I feel like I've played enough games here now. The coaching staff and everyone are familiar with my game.

“I feel good about my game, I feel like I really improved some things in Laval,” he added. “It's a good opportunity to show the management and the coaching staff that I've put in the time to improve these things in my game and how I can translate that.”

The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Barron was committed to the Rockets in late January to improve the defensive aspects of his game. Management also wanted him to be physical and tough to play against given his size. In 30 games with Laval, Barron had two goals — one on the power play — and 11 points. It was minus-5.

At just 22 years old, the former first-round draft pick (25th overall) out of Colorado State in 2020 believes he has become a complete player in the minors. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said the improvement has been noticeable.

“We are very happy to have the players back from Laval. Or show,” St. Louis said earlier this week. “It's exciting to see because we have a lot of young players. (Barron's) doing the things we know. I think his mind is in a good place to do that. We didn't see that much when it went down. I think it was confidence.

Content of the article

“When your confidence is down as a player, you're trying to survive in this league as opposed to surviving,” he added. “Since he came back, yes, there are mistakes – every player makes mistakes, but I feel like he's living on the ice. He is not trying to survive. That's when he's at his best.”

In 44 games this season, Barron has six goals and 12 points. It is minus-4. In the three games since his return — against Toronto, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia — St. Louis has gradually increased Barron's ice time with Jayden Struble. Barron had four touchdowns in three games, was a consistent player and played more than 18 minutes against the Rangers and Flyers after playing less than 16 minutes against the Lifters.

While there were defensive mistakes against Toronto, Barron was more involved offensively against New York and was found around the Rangers' net at times.

“We have a lot of freedom, especially when we have some movement in the offensive zone,” Barron explained. “The freedom to read and jump off the walls or into the middle. As far as reading the play goes, that was always something I focused on in my mind; try to read the play at the right time, jump in and try to surprise someone.”

Barron believes he played well before Christmas, but for some reason his overall play began to decline after the holiday break. He's also not naive and has seen the depth of blue-chip prospects in the system, including Laval defensemen Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher, both former first-round picks.

“There will always be internal competition,” he said. “I feel like I know what I can do. It's like ending this year strong, coming next year, a new beginning. It's just about getting better and proving that I can be a full-time NHL player.”

Goalie Samuel Montembo started the game against the Isles. No lineup changes are expected.

[email protected]

twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1

Recommended by the editors