Recalled/Assigned: Justin Barron assigned to Laval, Mitchell Stephens waived (upd: cleared)

[Kudo Shinichi]

I don't think there's any trade happening

They were at 23 players with Barron and Stephens on the roster.
They will probably swap Barron with Xhekaj, and Stephens with Pearson.

They will have Pearson or one of the other wingers play 4th-line center. This is the result of Roy making the team.

 

[SwiftyHab]

Bring ​

​

Dach​

​

Bach!​

 

[Treal]

Nothing wrong with Barron being sent down to Laval. Take what you learned from the NHL so far, apply it to the AHL, work on your game, come back better.

He's been somewhat unremarkable but I hope Stephens clears, Laval could use him for a playoff push.

 

[LaP]

Yep can't write him off yet.

He's just 22. I mean Devon Toews was still playing in the AHL at that age and was not really dominating it either. Barron is unlikely to be a top 3 dman but he could develop as a good 4th dman able to help in the top 3 in case of injury.

 

[morhilane]

If they only needed a spot for Pearson, they could just send Barron's down and not get short a center. Stephens had to be send down today to clear a spot for tomorrow's game hence that timing.

Are they going to try Roy or Slaf at center now.

Newhook is back?

A month too early for that, he's supposed to be back end of February/early March.

 

[LaP]

I hope Stephens clears. He would be a huge addition for Laval. I expect he will clear.

He will clear imo.

 

[Runner77]

Yep can't write him off yet.

True but when you have so many Ds knocking at the door and some are given time and are lagging, what else can they do?

Prolonged auditions are preferable but Reinbacher is coming, Ghule and Struble can play RHD. Barron still has good value, could be used as a piece in a deal.

 

[the valiant effort]

41 games of 18:47 TOI, can’t say the staff didn’t give Barron maximum leash to try to make himself irreplaceable. Like many others I am not writing him off yet either.

 

[waitin425]

Barron just feels like trade fodder.

Guhle, Rein, Hutson, Struble, Mailloux, Xhekaj, Harris, Engstrom, Konyushkov.

We are stacked for the future. Barron should be packaged with whatever to bring back a higher level forward.

 

[LaP]

If they only needed a spot for Pearson, they could just send Barron's down and not get short a center. Stephens had to be send down today to clear a spot for tomorrow's game hence that timing.

Are they going to try Roy or Slaf at center now.


A month too early for that, he's supposed to be back end of February/early March.

Not sure why they would try Roy at center. The guy is clearly a natural winger imo. Slaf it could be interesting to see what he can do but ideally you would want to do that in the AHL not NHL.

 

[JianYang]

I hadn't considered this...that's possible, but I hope we don't continue to try him at center, he's a much better winger.

If he hasn't been at practice in a contact jersey, I don't think we should expect him back anytime soon.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Fully deserved for Barron honestly. He’s been shit for a while minus the odd goal. Xhekaj deserves to come back up.

To be fair, Harris Guhle have not been much better, Strubble has struggled the past two games too.

 

[LaP]

To be fair, Harris Guhle have not been much better, Strubble has struggled the past two games too.

It was the Bruins everyone struggled.

 

[larek]

To be fair, Harris Guhle have not been much better, Strubble has struggled the past two games too.

Struble struggling plays better D than Barron

 

[red devil]

I thought that Roy would get sent down when Pearson was ready to come back but I guess management wants to keep him up until at least the Allstar break. With only having 3 centers on the roster with Stephens going down I wonder if the plan is to go 11 forwards and 7 dman for the next 3 games and then make a decision after the break

 

[The Great Weal]

Barron just feels like trade fodder.

Guhle, Rein, Hutson, Struble, Mailloux, Xhekaj, Harris, Engstrom, Konyushkov.

We are stacked for the future. Barron should be packaged with whatever to bring back a higher level forward.

The guy is a minor league player a year before he requires waivers. He doesn't have any value. I also don't think Harris is much better if at all.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Barron just feels like trade fodder.

Guhle, Rein, Hutson, Struble, Mailloux, Xhekaj, Harris, Engstrom, Konyushkov.

We are stacked for the future. Barron should be packaged with whatever to bring back a higher level forward.

How is it sure that Mailloux Engstrom Konyushov will be better than Barron? Fans grossly overrate prospects…

 

[TT1]

i think Stephens played well enough to get picked up tbh

 

[morhilane]

I thought that Roy would get sent down when Pearson was ready to come back but I guess management wants to keep him up until at least the Allstar break. With only having 3 centers on the roster with Stephens going down I wonder if the plan is to go 11 forwards and 7 dman for the next 3 games and then make a decision after the break

Habs only have 6 dmen up with Barron sent down.

 

[red devil]

Habs only have 6 dmen up with Barron sent down.

I'm assuming that Xhekaj is going be called up

 

[Trabdy2]

Sending Barron down felt necessary. He needs time to work on his game and there's still some runway for him.

Stephens probably clears.

It feels like there's a trade coming soon, with only the three C on the roster.

 

[rahad]

Wonder if they would put in a claim for Adam Erne?

Maybe Pearson is ready to return.

Why you want Adam Erne with the Habs? He is pretty much a AHL player.

 

[Tyson]

True but when you have so many Ds knocking at the door and some are given time and are lagging, what else can they do?

Prolonged auditions are preferable but Reinbacher is coming, Ghule and Struble can play RHD. Barron still has good value, could be used as a piece in a deal.

Don't forget Mailloux

 

[Chili]

Why you want Adam Erne with the Habs? He is pretty much a AHL player.

Was remembering him when he played with an edge which was sorely lacking last game. Reading some, he's probably not that player anymore.

 

[red devil]