The St. Louis Blues have made a notable addition to their defensive unit on the eve of the regular season, claiming right-handed blueliner Justin Barron off waivers from the Nashville Predators. The move adds NHL-tested depth to the right side of St. Louis’ defensive core without sacrificing draft assets or roster capital.
Drafted 25th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Barron carries a strong pedigree and solid physical traits. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, the 24-year-old brings a balanced mix of size, mobility, and positional responsibility.
Barron spent the majority of his early career with the Montreal Canadiens after being traded from Colorado in March 2022 as part of the Artturi Lehkonen deal. Across parts of four seasons in Montreal, he logged 109 regular-season games, collecting 13 goals, 18 assists, 131 hits, and 121 blocked shots. He was subsequently dealt to Nashville in December 2024 in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Carrier. During his tenure with the Predators, Barron suited up for 52 games, posting nine assists, 60 blocked shots, and 37 hits while averaging 14:15 of ice time per contest.
Right-shot defensemen are always a premium commodity in today’s NHL, and Barron’s arrival gives the Blues an intriguing mix of youth, size, and experience. Having already accumulated a strong body of NHL work across three organizations, Barron is capable of stepping directly into third-pair duties or serving as a reliable depth reserve on the roster.
Carrying a digestible $1.575 million salary cap hit for the upcoming season before reaching restricted free agency, the claim represents a low-risk, high-upside gamble for the Blues’ front office. If Barron can settle into a consistent role under the St. Louis coaching staff, the former first-rounder could prove to be a valuable long-term addition to the blueline.
