When Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes traded Jonathan Kovacevic to the New Jersey Devils, he didn’t expect he’d need to trade for a replacement anytime soon. Still, as the season played on and injuries kept piling up, it became clear his blueline required help. Right before the Christmas roster freeze, Hughes sent Justin Barron to the Nashville Predators in return for Quebec native Alexandre Carrier.

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While the move isn’t the sole reason the Canadiens made the playoffs, Carrier’s presence has been instrumental in stabilizing the team’s defense. The right-shot defenseman went from being part of a team that was believed to be a contender after its big splash in free agency, but that fell desperately short, to a rebuilding team that nobody, aside from the players themselves, believed could make it. He took to his new team like a fish to water and had an immediate impact on and off the ice.   

In 28 games in Nashville, Carrier had picked up seven points, 12 penalty minutes, and had a minus-14 rating. In the remaining 51 games with Montreal, he picked up 18 points, 28 penalty minutes, and was a plus-four.

He saw some ice time with Keiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, and Lane Hutson. Whoever he was partnered with, he played well and ended the season with an average ice time of 20:35, up 1:45 from his average last season.

Although not big, Carrier plays a big game and blocked 169 shots this season, 120 of which were with the Canadiens. Had they all been with the Habs, his 169 blocks would have been good for second on the team. He was also partnered with Mike Matheson on the team’s first penalty kill.

Carrier is the kind of player coaches love because you know exactly what you’re getting when you throw him into the action. His competitive level and dedication are always dialed up, be it in the regular season or in the playoffs, sickness or health, as evidenced by how he kept playing after that Tom Wilson hit.

His acquisition came in the nick of time, considering David Savard has now retired, the soon-to-be 29-year-old will be able to fill the defenseman’s shoes thanks to his 296 games in the NHL.

Overall, I think Carrier delivered a solid B-plus season. I expect to see even more from him next season when he may have to mentor a new right-shot defenseman if Logan Mailloux or David Reinbacher are ready to jump to the next level.

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