LAVAL | Arber

• Also read: Mailloux lost his accomplice

• Also read: LPHF: The luggage of a former CH for the Montreal team

• Also read: CH: Mitchell Stephens is going to Laval

The 22-year-old Nova Scotian is clearly disappointed, but he appears to want to follow the same path as Xhekaj and rebuild his confidence in Laval.

“I learned that in training on Monday,” he explained on Tuesday afternoon. “It's obviously a little surprising and disappointing, but at the end of the day if I come here with a good attitude, work hard and improve my game, I can come back and be even more effective.”

Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle said he hopes Barron will follow Sheriff's example and make the most of his stay in the American League to refine his game.

“Xhekaj came here and his attitude was great. He came with the aim of improving us and helping us and he did that. He worked in training and gave his best in the games,” explained Houle.

inspiration

Barron has just one point in his last 13 games and his last goal in the NHL was on December 18th. He claims that he played well before Christmas and that the situation worsened after the holiday break.

Even though his playing style is completely different to Xhekaj's, he can draw inspiration from the Ontario native's stay in Laval.

“He played well here and I'm sure he'll continue to play well now that he's back up there. It's the same situation I experienced after camp last year.

“The time I spent here allowed me to repeat this in a different environment when I was called back after Christmas. It's a new beginning, I'm trying to get over it and we'll play tomorrow [mercredi].”

As a reminder, Barron joined the Canadian when he was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, but started the 2022-2023 season in Laval before returning to the Bell Center after 25 games with the Rocket.

Defensive game

Barron is an offensive defender, but with the Canadian we want him to refine his defensive game and regain his confidence by completing this internship in the American League.

Jean-François Houle wants to give him every chance to stand out from the crowd.

“He's going to have a lot of ice, he's going to play for the advantage and on the penalty kill he has to touch the puck. He has a similar job to do as when Xhekaj arrived here.”

Striker Philippe Maillet believes the team loses a good defender in Xhekaj but gains another very good one with the arrival of Barron.

“He’s a strong right-hander who can move the puck well. He may be less physical, he just has to play his game and exploit his attributes.

“We lose Xhekaj, but we get a man like Barron. There will just be a different dynamic, but I don’t think it will change the look of the team.”