The Montreal Canadiens have loaned defenceman Justin Barron to the AHL’s Laval Rocket and placed forward Mitchell Stephens on waivers.
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels believes the move will open spots on the roster to allow Montreal to activate Tanner Pearson off waivers and recall defenceman Arber Xhekaj.
Barron has appeared in all 41 games this season for the Canadiens recording six goals and 12 points.
Stephens has played in 23 games scoring two goals and three points while also adding three goals and 12 points in 16 games in the AHL.
Pearson has been out of the lineup with an upper-body injury after taking a shot off his left hand. This season the 31-year-old has four goals and eight points in 27 games.
The Canadiens loaned Xhekaj to Laval over a month ago and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the team was not engaged in trade talks surrounding the blue liner.
The 22-year-old went on injured reserve in November with an upper-body injury, and upon his return on Dec. 4, the Canadiens sent him to join the Laval Rocket in a move head coach Martin St. Louis described as, “a part of his process.”
In 17 games with the AHL club, Xhekaj has three goals, eight assists and 34 penalty minutes.
