Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis has delivered a pointed message to one of his young defensemen ahead of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Though the critique was constructive, it was clear.
Justin Barron, who has had a promising start to training camp, must work on his defensive game to solidify his role.
Paired with Lane Hutson, Barron’s potential is evident, but his defensive lapses remain a concern. St-Louis acknowledged his abilities while emphasizing the need for growth.
St-Louis on Barron: “With the puck, we’re comfortable with JB. It’s just a matter of continuing to work on the rest. It’s a great opportunity for him; he just needs to understand the situation better. He’s smart enough to do it.”
St-Louis’s feedback, though positive, carried a clear message: Barron needs to step up defensively.
A Battle Between Barron and Mailloux?
It seems that the race for the final defensive spot on the Canadiens’ roster has come down to Barron and fellow defenseman Logan Mailloux.
Barron, who holds an NHL contract, has a slight advantage over Mailloux, who can be sent back to the Laval Rocket without any issues. However, both general manager Kent Hughes and executive Jeff Gorton appear intent on awarding the spot to the player who earns it over the next two weeks.
As the competition heats up, both Barron and Mailloux are names to keep an eye on as camp winds down. Barron will be tested tonight, paired with Lane Hutson, in their game against Toronto.
Barron and Mailloux: A Comparison
At 22, Justin Barron, a 2020 first-round pick (25th overall), has logged 30 points in 94 NHL games. He also registered 11 points in 32 games with the Laval Rocket during the 2023-2024 season. Barron remains a promising, young talent.
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On the other hand, 21-year-old Logan Mailloux, a first-round pick in 2021 (31st overall), has shown offensive prowess. He tallied 47 points in 72 games with the Laval Rocket last season and scored a point in his lone NHL appearance. Despite being an AHL rookie, his stats are impressive.
Both right-handed defensemen, Barron and Mailloux, have unique strengths, making this battle for a roster spot one to watch closely
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