The low season that leads to the 2025-26 season continues, and with the large events such as the NHL Entry Draft and Free Agent Frenzy completed, the dog days of summer clothing absorb while NHL management groups take a little breathing break before the training camps start. In this series I will try to investigate every schedule of Montreal Canadiens, summarize their last season and look ahead to this coming season. I will look at their place in the organization, their role and their possible impact.
Related: Canadiens 2025-26 Player Previews: Noah Dobson
In the next step of the series I will continue to look at the Blue Line Corps of the Canadiens, continue with Alexandre Carrier.
2024-25 season Summary
Carrier was traded from the Nashville predators to the Canadiens In a one-for-one deal for Justin Barron. It is a deal that was logical for both parties, but for Montreal it was the desperate need for a stable, reliable, consistent defender to play on the right side they wanted to fill. In the beginning there were some doubts, but not with General Manager (GM) Kent Hughes, who knew Carrier very well, after he had worked together with his agent, Philippe Lecavalier, At Quartexx Management Before Hughes went on to the Canadiens.
Carrier had a strong season 2024-25 and scored one goal and seven points in 28 games with the predators. Once with Montreal he scored two goals and 18 points in 51 games. Combined, he had three goals, 25 points and played in a second pair role as well as an important time for penalty killing (PK). He strengthened the top four as soon as he arrived in Montreal, so that the stability and a much -needed experienced presence brought to the backend.
Carrier Usually played with Mike Matheson, On average 20:50 Ice Age, and gave head coach Martin St. Louis the opportunity to balance his defensive pairs more effectively, so that the entire blue line fits in the roles for which they are better suited. It was no coincidence that the Canadiens started their season after his arrival, on the way to an unexpected Playoff appearance. Everyone on the Blue Line was able to concentrate on their own roles and do not catch up when they are forced to adapt after each roll change.
2025-26 season expectations
Carrier will continue to play an essential role for the Canadiens in the 2025-26 season. He is in the second season of his three -year contract That pays him $ 3.75 million, which essentially replaces the dop space that David Savard has filled on the Roster, and with him who is now retired, the veteran presence of the carrier will still become invaluable. While the inhabitant of Quebec City is substandard (5-foot-11 and 174 pounds), he plays without fear. He is mobile, has excellent defensive positioning and anticipation and his attacking skills are applied with aplomb in the transitional game, something on which the attack of the Canadiens is built.
The mobility and skills of the carrier like an all-round defender remain heavy to use, especially in the horsepower. With Savard now retiring, there is a place open on the best PK unit of the team. Between the Canadiens and Predators last season he had 169 blocked shots in 79 games, so he has the necessary skills. He does not play the same physical brand that Savard did; Instead, he uses his mobility and body positioning to defend, so although attacking attacks less physical punishment will be confronted, they will still have a hard time generating openings to get quality photos. Because of his fame with Matheson, he would be a logical combination on the upper unity with him, because they can collect pucks together and delete the zone quickly while adding the veteran stability and calming effect that is needed to excel in this role.
On five-five-five, however, Carrier can be better suited to play on a combination with Kaid Guhle. Their advanced statistics in their more than 290 minutes of playing together saw them with a solid Corsi for percentage (50.97%) and expected goals for percentage (53.37%). Both are very mobile and capable with the transition game, and Carrier could free Guhle to concentrate more on the attacking side of his game, and in his own zone let him play a more physical style, knowing that the wearer is there for support. Carrier can also fill in the third pair if necessary, especially in a mentoring role. His short time in combination with both Jayden Struble and Lane Hutson showed comparable strong advanced statistics.
The 2025-26 season is a transition for the Canadiens in their rebuilding, because they take the next step from collecting assets to trust their young core to take the next step to become a real Playoff candidate. The role of the carrier will not be to place more points. It will be his role if the stabilizing veteran will remain essential and will mean that he will have a much greater impact on the win column than his pointed totals would ever offer.
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