Player Discussion Justin Barron

[Adriatic]

I don't think you can tell much in Barron's case as of right now with a pretty uneventful preseason. He's gone through stretches in the past where he's been great and then hits a wall. He just needs to do what he does for longer stretches. What he has going for him is that he's a righty.

 

[Rapala]

I have watched many Habs teams from many different era's and Barron I would consider one of the softest defenseman I have ever seen. His style won't change, he hates physical play.

Well I don't know what you expect out of him in that department but he has started to use his body and he was being physical in Laval.
MSL brought it up when he was talking about him. He isn't ever going to be a Struble but he doesn't have to be.
He needs to be able to rub people out box players out and move the puck the other way.
I watched him being physical on the PK just the other night preventing a zone entry with a beautiful hard check...

Did you completely miss that play?

 

[Tyson]

Well I don't know what you expect out of him in that department but he has started to use his body and he was being physical in Laval.
MSL brought it up when he was talking about him. He isn't ever going to be a Struble but he doesn't have to be.
He needs to be able to rub people out box players out and move the puck the other way.
I watched him being physical on the PK just the other night preventing a zone entry with a beautiful hard check...

Did you completely miss that play?

One play doesn't make a habit. Like I said...we shall see. My expectations for Justin Barron are non existent.

 

[Rapala]

One play doesn't make a habit. Like I said...we shall see. My expectations for Justin Barron are non existent.

It isn't just one play though.
I pointed out a number of plays in Laval where his was hard on players with his body "crumpling" them along the boards.
Players don't crumple unless the check is really solid he did it more than once.
I know you were watching the games and I also know you were in the GDT's
My comment's were "Finally Barron knows what he is Big for"
He was also one of their best defensemen on that final 3 game road trip.

I liked his camp and I watched him very closely given my stance on the player.

 

[Yep]

It isn't just one play though.
I pointed out a number of plays in Laval where his was hard on players with his body "crumpling" them along the boards.
Players don't crumple unless the check is really solid he did it more than once.
I know you were watching the games and I also know you were in the GDT's
My comment's were "Finally Barron knows what he is Big for"
He was also one of their best defensemen on that final 3 game road trip.

I liked his camp and I watched him very closely given my stance on the player.

I haven't seen him at all in Laval. But based on what I've seen in this camp, I've
noticed a difference. He seems calmer, less panicky, plays with more confidence and poise. He looked like an NHL player, more than ever before (to me at least). I certainly hope it transfers into the regular season. We need him to fulfill his potential.

 

[morhilane]

He seems calmer less panicky,

Biggest difference from my pov. The kid worked on his inner self this off-season and looks more mature out there.

 

[Tyson]

Biggest difference from my pov. The kid worked on his inner self this off-season and looks more mature out there.

Hopefully it carries over when he is playing against NHL line ups in the regular season.

 

[Benstheman]

The last spot on the right side of D will be between Barron and Mailloux. No space for both of them long term. Just like there is no space for Matheson AND Hutson on the left side.

 

[BaseballCoach]

The last spot on the right side of D will be between Barron and Mailloux. No space for both of them long term. Just like there is no space for Matheson AND Hutson on the left side.

LOL, I believe there is always space for a 24+ minute D and an offensive specialist on the same team.

 

[Benstheman]

LOL, I believe there is always space for a 24+ minute D and an offensive specialist on the same team.

Which one will play 24+ minutes again??

 

[malcb33]

No space for both of them long term (Barron and Mailloux).

How do you see that long term?

I can’t see Savard sticking around past this year, nor can I see the long term plan to keep Ghule on his offside.

Reinbacher, Mailloux and Barron can all fit on the right side, if they’re good enough to play.

 

[Benstheman]

How do you see that long term?

I can’t see Savard sticking around past this year, nor can I see the long term plan to keep Ghule on his offside.

Reinbacher, Mailloux and Barron can all fit on the right side, if they’re good enough to play.

They are too much of the same. Except Mailloux is a more physical.

But both of them are liabilities defensively.

Off course they will have a spot because i don't think Savard will be here next year but if HuGo are serious about being contenders, they know they can't have both of them on the right side and they will adress the situation via trade or UFA's.

 

[morhilane]

How do you see that long term?

I can’t see Savard sticking around past this year, nor can I see the long term plan to keep Ghule on his offside.

Reinbacher, Mailloux and Barron can all fit on the right side, if they’re good enough to play.

Savard is staying pass this year. The plan is to get better, not babysit more rookies at D like the last 3 seasons.

 

[Benstheman]

Savard is staying pass this year. The plan is to get better, not babysit more rookies at D like the last 3 seasons.

You mean not staying i guess?? If so, i agree. He is perfect for Hutson this season. But after that, we need an updrade on him. Big upgrade. We just can't let Reinbacher and Mailloux taking the top two spot on the right side next season. Reinbacher won't be ready and Mailloux is just not good enough imo.

 

[Rapala]

The Reinbacher injury is going to mess up the time tables.
How many years out are we from having that number 1minute munching RD we need.
I don't see any of the other guys being that player.

 

[417]

It's always going to be tough for Barron to get some love on here...because people will only see value when/if he produces points.

Even if he plays solid, mistake free hockey, moves the puck. People will always call him soft regardless.

He's in a tough spot but I think he's had a solid camp and for me, is firmly entrench right now as a top 6Dman on this team.

 

[morhilane]

You mean not staying i guess?? If so, i agree. He is perfect for Hutson this season. But after that, we need an updrade on him. Big upgrade. We just can't let Reinbacher and Mailloux taking the top two spot on the right side next season. Reinbacher won't be ready and Mailloux is just not good enough imo.

No, I'm saying Savard is staying, at least for one more year. It is very unlikely they will trade for an upgrade on Savard and there won't be better options than Savard on the UFA market on July 1st. Habs will not want to have to manage more than one rookie at D in the line-up next year (and it should be a RHD among Konyushkov, Reinbacher and Mailloux).

The best that can happen is that Barron develop into a top 4 RHD this year, so Savard can be dropped to the 3rd pair.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The last spot on the right side of D will be between Barron and Mailloux. No space for both of them long term. Just like there is no space for Matheson AND Hutson on the left side.

Too soon to say this.

That being said, it won't surprise me if Barron's dealt this year if he doesn't show something. There's such a backlog of talent here I think they want to see what he can do but I could see us getting a more veteran presence back there.

I can't beleive Ghule's going to do another year on the right side.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Didn't a bunch of vets " petition " Marty about problems playing his man to man game and Marty agreed to use a more zone defensive system ? Thought I read something about that.

No such thing happened.

 

[Naslundforever]

How do you see that long term?

I can’t see Savard sticking around past this year, nor can I see the long term plan to keep Ghule on his offside.

Reinbacher, Mailloux and Barron can all fit on the right side, if they’re good enough to play.

Mailloux seems 2 years away and with the operation Reinbacher I’d say 3-4. Lots of hockey to be played before they (maybe?) make the nhl. Barron’s spot seems cemented.

 

[1909]

Mailloux seems 2 years away and with the operation Reinbacher I’d say 3-4. Lots of hockey to be played before they (maybe?) make the nhl. Barron’s spot seems cemented.

Mailloux: one more AHL season.
Reinbacher: half a season in 2025-26

 

[Rapala]

With Kovacevic scoring in his first game. Barron just got worse.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Mailloux seems 2 years away and with the operation Reinbacher I’d say 3-4. Lots of hockey to be played before they (maybe?) make the nhl. Barron’s spot seems cemented.

These are unrealistic timelines.. Reinbacher would require waivers in 3-4 years. It's a season for Mailloux, and likely a season and a half for Reinbacher because of the injury, otherwise he would have been up by the end of this year.

 

[26Mats]

The last spot on the right side of D will be between Barron and Mailloux. No space for both of them long term. Just like there is no space for Matheson AND Hutson on the left side.

Are you talking long term?

I think Matheson, Hutson, and Xhekaj get the left spots this year. Though Xhekaj will probably be in a rotation. (a side question, how long will Xhekaj be healthy?).

Then for the right size, I think Struble, Barron, and Mailloux are in a competition to start. There may be a rotation at first. But once the injuries start, everyone will get their chance. I think they will start with Struble and Barron in the NHL, and have a rotation on the bottom pair with Xhekaj, Struble, and Barron. My only question is whether Mailloux will be a part of that rotation. I think it's better to have him play big minutes in Laval, and only be called up if there are injuries or Barron struggles and Struble struggles on the right side.

 

[Rapala]

These are unrealistic timelines.. Reinbacher would require waivers in 3-4 years. It's a season for Mailloux, and likely a season and a half for Reinbacher because of the injury, otherwise he would have been up by the end of this year.

Gotta think we are looking for a better solution in the interim. I think a trigger will get pulled I just can't say when.