Confirmed with Link: Alexandre Carrier acquired from the Predators in exchange for Justin Barron

[dcyhabs]

Carrière works for that role for now. There aren’t a lot of RD studs out there. RD will be the guy down the road.

A lot will depend on Mailloux. If they don’t believe in him, he might get packaged away for help. Or, he winds up with us next year and they evaluate him.

Agreed. Not sure I believe in Mailloux, I'm sure he can put up points but not that he can be a net positive for the team.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

He’s been fine. But he’s small. And so is Hutson. Without Lane’s offense.

Kind of ironic to say with his production. It's obviously not sustainable but the guy is not Hal Gill.

 

[VAN-HAB]

Patrick Traverse

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Agreed. Not sure I believe in Mailloux, I'm sure he can put up points but not that he can be a net positive for the team.

He’s got the tools. Great shot.

Defenseman take time. But the team could always package him, lots of teams would be interested. Ditto with Joshua Roy if we wanted to do that. Personally I hope they both make the team. Especially Roy. But we’ll see…

 

[OneSharpMarble]

He’s been fine. But he’s small. And so is Hutson. Without Lane’s offense.

How he plays matters and not every player needs to be an offensive player.

 

[Pure Laine]

Patrick Traverse

What

He’s been fine. But he’s small. And so is Hutson. Without Lane’s offense.

Not enough head fakes per 60.

 

[The Last Red]

How he plays matters and not every player needs to be an offensive player.

I know. But having two D that size is not optimal, and I know which one is the keeper. It’s not Carrier. He was acquired to try and “salvage” the season because the dimwit trust-fund kid owner decided to run his mouth at the golf tournament about being “in the mix” this season. Not a fan of Carrier’s contract either. Could be a progress-stopper. Could be. But it did put Guhle back on the left side, where he’s much better.

 

[Natey]

Moving forward Kovacevic simply is not the type of player that we need in the system that Marty runs.

He is a great guy and I am happy that he is having success but he is playing on a team that insulates him very well and the stat worshippers are drooling over him without any context.

The hope was that Barron would take a step and that if at least one of Mailloux/Reinbacher took a step, and that would result in Kovacevic would just being in the way. With at least one of Matheson, Guhle, Hutson, Xhekaj or Struble needing to slot in on RD every night there were realistically only two spots for Barron, Reinbacher and Mailloux but only if Savard was moved as well. Kovacevic was never a part of the big picture and rightfully so and if the fans who are bawling about it had any ability to see past the end of their own nose they would come to the same conclusion that I am stating and that HuGo arrived at.

Carrier is a better fit in Montreal all day, every day.

Nah Kovacevic is great.

Carrier is also great.

Barron is the drizzling shits though.

 

[dcyhabs]

He’s got the tools. Great shot.

Defenseman take time. But the team could always package him, lots of teams would be interested. Ditto with Joshua Roy if we wanted to do that. Personally I hope they both make the team. Especially Roy. But we’ll see…

Physical tools. Not sure his brain is sufficient.

 

[HuGort]

Carrier has tighten up the team defensively. Averaging 19 minutes a game. Improved our 5v5 play

 

[Rapala]

It’s often overlooked, but the simple act of being competent/stable adds so much to any NHL lineup.

Carrier isn’t flashy, he’s a calming influence. A consummate professional, who comes to the rink and works hard to do his job.

He’s not big, but he plays physical, within his skill set, and that’s helped turn this team around significantly…. and he has added some nice assists as well!

He’s been exactly what this team needed on the back end. Looking like a sharp pick up by Hughes.

That is what made the Las Vegas Knights a playoff team out of the gate.
You can go back to the beginning of this tank and find posts where I used that template as as model for the rebuild.
First build a roster with no glaring holes and then start upgrading when and where you can.
We are finally approaching that type of roster where there is enough competence to help offset the lack of talent in certain areas.