​Chris MacFarland has spent much of his first offseason in Nashville surrounding himself with familiar faces, leaning on connections from his time with the Avalanche and adding personnel from his former organization. Earlier this week, he extended that approach by reuniting with another Avalanche-linked player.
The Nashville Predators announced the re-signing of defenseman Justin Barron to a one-year contract worth $1.575 million, giving the former Colorado first-round pick another chance to solidify a role on Nashville’s blue line. Barron, 24, had been a restricted free agent after appearing in 52 games for the Predators last season, posting nine assists and averaging 14 minutes and 15 seconds of ice time per game. He also recorded 60 blocked shots after being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in December 2024 in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Carrier.
“Justin Barron is a 24-year-old, right-handed defenseman who we feel still has growth in his game,” Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland said in a team release. “He can skate and has a lot of physical tools. We’re looking forward to seeing him at our training camp in September.”
For Avalanche fans, Barron’s name is closely tied to one of the franchise’s most significant trades. Colorado selected him 25th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he spent much of the next two seasons developing with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, where he logged six goals and 18 assists in 50 games. He also made two NHL appearances before being included, along with a 2024 second-round pick, in the March 2022 trade that sent Artturi Lehkonen to Denver. That deal became a defining move of Colorado’s Stanley Cup run, with Lehkonen scoring the overtime winner that completed the Avalanche’s sweep of the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final, followed by the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Barron eventually found his footing with Montreal, posting consecutive double-digit point seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24 despite playing fewer than 50 games in each campaign. His production dipped to one point in 17 games to start the 2024-25 season before he was dealt to Nashville, where he rebounded with 12 points in 45 games after the trade.
Defensively, Barron has been a work in progress. Across 208 NHL games with the Avalanche, Canadiens, and Predators, he has tallied 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points but has never finished a season with a positive plus-minus rating, recording a career minus-27. His underlying metrics show a mixed bag. Last season, Barron ranked third among Predators defensemen with 60 blocked shots and led the group in blocks per 60 minutes (4.86). He also finished third on Nashville’s blue line in hits. Conversely, his four takeaways were the fewest on the team, highlighting areas for improvement in puck security and transition play.
From a broader perspective, Barron’s revocation by the Predators signals Nashville’s continued emphasis on building depth on the back end with players who can move the puck, contribute on special teams, and bring a degree of physicality. The one-year, $1.575 million deal provides Barron with an opportunity to re-establish himself within the Predators’ system, compete for a steady role in training camp, and potentially appeal to Nashville’s coaching staff as they shape their second-half plans for the season.
Looking ahead, Barron’s path will likely involve continued development of his skating and decision-making under pressure, as well as improving his consistency in avoiding turnovers and maintaining a reliable defensive presence. If he can refine these aspects, Barron has a viable shot at becoming a regular, trusted option on Nashville’s blue line, contributing to the club’s long-term aspirations and giving MacFarland another familiar piece to anchor the roster.
In the broader context of the Predators’ defense corps, Barron’s return adds continuity to a group that has balancing needs between physical play, puck-moving ability, and two-way responsibility. With his experience across three NHL organizations and a track record of resilience, Barron remains a candidate for increased responsibility as he acclimates to Nashville’s structure and accelerates his development under their coaching staff. As September approaches and training camp opens, fans will be watching to see how Barron integrates with Nashville’s system and whether he can translate his potential into sustained NHL production.