The offensive skills Justin Barron brings to the rink never have been questioned.
The Canadiens defenceman skates effortlessly, has good vision, is intelligent and possesses strong puck-moving ability. Instead, it has been the defensive side of Barron’s game that has hindered his progress.
While still only 22, the feeling throughout training camp is this could be Barron’s last opportunity at regular NHL employment — at least with the Canadiens — given the team’s depth along the blue line and numerous young players waiting in the wings.
The Halifax native realizes what’s at stake.
“I obviously want to be a full-time NHL player,” Barron said after Tuesday morning’s Bell Centre skate prior to facing the Ottawa Senators in the Canadiens’ penultimate exhibition game. Barron will be in the lineup, paired with Jayden Struble.
“My goal at camp has been to crack the opening-night roster,” Barron continued. “I think this season is super important. This year I really want to stick, play a full season and establish myself as an NHL player. Obviously, there has been some bumps in the road on the way there.
“It’s a tough league, but I’ve felt good about my camp so far, good about where my game is at. I want to be in the lineup every night.”
Barron, 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, began last season well but started to struggle defensively in December and eventually was demoted to the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s AHL affiliate, in late January to improve the defensive aspects of his game. Given his size, management also wanted him to become more physical and difficult to play against.
Barron probably would have ended the season with the Rocket, but was recalled in April after fellow defencemen Kaiden Guhle suffered a concussion and Arber Xhekaj underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Guhle is recovering this season from having his appendix removed, but has resumed practising with the team while wearing a non-contact jersey.
However an opening was created last Saturday when David Reinbacher suffered a knee injury against Toronto. On Tuesday morning the Canadiens announced Reinbacher underwent surgery on his left knee and will be sidelined between five and six months, potentially ending his season.
And with the trades of Jordan Harris to Columbus and Johnathan Kovacevic to New Jersey, there could be some openings for Barron to kill penalties. He is one of nine defencemen remaining with Montreal.
“The next step for me is being reliable defensively, being tough to play against and establishing that role,” Barron said. “Offence is part of my game and will always be there; I feel good about that part. I definitely want to take that next step defensively and get some trust from the coaching staff.
“Coming out of junior, everyone’s a lot bigger and faster,” added Barron, a former first-round (25th overall) draft choice by Colorado in 2020. “I felt like I was playing some really good hockey for a couple of months last year before I was sent down. Then I went into a bit of a lull. I’ve learned to take nothing for granted. I feel more confident about my game now.”
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged camp is critical for every player, especially young prospects. He said he talked to Barron at season’s end during the exit meetings and circled back with him again in midsummer.
“I think he knows what’s the job for him,” St. Louis said. “I feel like he’s had a solid camp. There’s been progression in the stuff we’re talking about. Now it’s finding that consistency.”
Meanwhile, with the top line of Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield, along with Josh Anderson, weren’t expected to dress against Ottawa. Forwards Lucas Condotta and Luke Tuch were recalled from Laval to fill out the lineup. They were slated to play on the fourth line with Michael Pezzetta.
“There’s always opportunities,” St. Louis said. “Whenever there’s opportunities you evaluate. This is a long season. You’re not going to play with 23 guys. There’s going to be some guys in and out. For us it’s managing the workload of some players, the amount of games they’re going to play.”