Canadiens acquire Carrier from Predators for Barron

Montreal and Nashville swapped defensemen Wednesday night, with the Canadiens acquiring Alexandre Carrier from the Predators in exchange for Justin Barron.

Carrier has registered one goal and seven points in 28 outings while averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time. He hasn't suited up since Dec. 7 because of an upper-body injury, though the Canadiens confirmed he's cleared to play, per Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

Nashville inked the 28-year-old to a three-year extension with a $3.75-million cap hit July 1. Carrier can become an unrestricted free agent when it expires.

The 2015 fourth-rounder had spent his entire career with the Predators. He's racked up 11 goals, 69 points, 268 hits, and 409 blocks in 245 games as a defensive blue-liner.

Barron, meanwhile, has appeared in 17 contests for the Habs this season and has scored one goal while seeing 14:43 minutes of ice time per game.

The Avalanche selected Barron 25th overall at the 2020 NHL Draft, but Colorado traded him to Montreal at the 2022 deadline as part of the package for forward Artturi Lehkonen.

The 23-year-old is under contract for one more season after this one with a $1.15-million cap hit. He can become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights once it expires.

Barron has appeared in 111 career NHL showings, totaling 13 tallies and 31 points.

Nashville has struggled so far this campaign, ranking last in the league with a 9-17-6 record. Montreal has fared slightly better, sitting in seventh place in the Atlantic Division following a 12-16-3 start.