Alexandre Carrier reflects on contract negotiations with Nashville, credits friend and defensive partner Jeremy Lauzon for being a "huge" reason for his re-signing.

After a stressful period of negotiations leading up to the start of free agency, defenseman Alexandre Carrier re-signed with the Nashville Predators on a three-year, $11.25 million deal.

Contract negotiations are a part of the business, but they were also personal for Carrier, who could barely conceive of a reality in which he was not skating opposite his good friend and fellow French Canadian Jeremy Lauzon next season and beyond. 

“We talked almost every day during the summer and after the season,” Carrier said. “It obviously was a huge part in coming back because I love playing with him. We’re really good friends off the ice."

Carrier even had to cancel plans to fly out for Lauzon’s bachelor party, which was being held over the weekend leading into free agency.

“I was really excited to go there, but I told him … `I don’t think I can fly there and be partying and make a decision, probably the biggest decision of my life,’” Carrier said. “He understood it.”

Needless to say, it all worked out. Carrier re-signed with the Predators, and he could once again be paired with Lauzon as a lethal one-two punch on the back end. 

“A steady partner is always something you look for. So, it was one part that made me want to come back, as well as the team we have, the season we had, the coaching staff, the vision they have for us to play ... For me, it was a no-brainer to come back.”

Originally selected by the Predators in the fourth round (No. 115 overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Carrier has skated in 217 games for the Predators since debuting in 2016-17. He has recorded 62 points (10 goals, 52 assists) and a +39 rating.

Carrier finished third on the Predators with a career-high 137 blocked shots last season. This offseason, he is focusing on refining the offensive side of his game, including his shot and his edge work.

"I take a lot of pride in defending and playing big minutes against the top line on the other side," Carrier said. "But if I can bring more offense with my shot, [it’s] just having a mentality to shoot more and to create from the blue line.”