With injuries to Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker to start the year off, the St. Louis Blues had to get a band-aid or two. Insert internal call-ups to Adam Jiricek and Theo Lindstein, and a waiver claim that is becoming the story of the season so far.
Justin Barron was that waiver claim, and since joining the Blues, he has been nothing short of spectacular. He has been all over the lineup card, including alongside Philip Broberg in the first pair.
The 25-year-old right-handed shot has two goals and six assists for eight points in 11 games with the Blues.
Significant potential
Barron introduces a significant potential for this young defensive core. He is right inside the age range alongside Mailloux, Broberg, Jiricek, and Lindstein to be a competitive unit in a few years. As Colton Parayko and Cam Fowler are nowhere close to entering the twilight of their careers, the signs of Father Time are starting to show.
No. 72 is on the hook for $1.75 million for the rest of this season, and then becomes an RFA in the offseason. He can definitely be a candidate for a bridge deal with the Blues, for 2 years at $2.5 million AAV, if this hot start continues to happen.
Tough call when Mailloux comes back
Barron is going to run into the roadblock that is Mailloux in a few weeks. You have to believe that Blues General Manager Alexander Steen and head coach Jim Montgomery are gonna want to see what Mailloux has in the tank when fully healthy. The plan of having Broberg and Mailloux as the top pair needs to be seen as a viable option, and if Broberg continues to play as he has, No. 23 will be switched out.
Insert Barron, and Mailloux becomes expendable.
Mailloux has been sent to Springfield for conditioning, and that is a great first step for him to get back. The Blues are going to need for No. 23 to be ready to go when he gets the nod to come back, as this franchise needs him to be a true first pair defenseman.
When that happens, it is unknown what exactly happens to Barron. He has earned his spot on the blue line; it is just unclear if Jiricek will be the one sent back down.
Add us as a preferred source on Google