The Canadiens announced today that they have recalled right-handed defenceman Justin Barron. Barron, a former first-round pick, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Artturi Lehkonen deal. A right-handed shot, Barron was expected to break training camp with the Canadiens in early October but was outplayed by the other young defenceman on the Habs’ blueline. With the Rocket, Barron appeared in 25 games this season registering seven goals, nine assists, and a -3 rating on a Rocket team that has struggled most of the year.
The Canadiens’ back end is banged up with David Savard on injured reserve and Mike Matheson out indefinitely. With those veterans out and Barron, 21, recalled, the Habs will ice one of the youngest defence corps in recent memory.
When Barron was acquired, he was billed as a possible power play quarterback. It will be interesting to see if Barron sees some time with the man advantage. If he can improve one of the league’s most moribund power plays, Barron may remain on the roster long after Matheson and Savard return to the lineup.