"Awful player" "Kent finally found his phone": NHL fans react as Justin Barron signs two-year contract with Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenseman Justin Barron on a two-year, $2.3 million contract, general manager Kent Hughes announced on Tuesday. The deal covers the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons and pays Barron an average of $1.15 million per year.

The Canadiens shared the news on X, writing:

"The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a two-year contract (2024-25 to 2025-26) with defenseman Justin Barron."

Soon NHL fans started reacting to Justin Barron signing with the Montreal Canadiens.

"Awful player," a fan wrote.

"Kent finally found his phone," another fan posted.

"I’m surprised Barron is making less money than Xhekaj. Same deal would have made sense," a fan said.

"Now we have how much cap? This has been a great off-season and there’s more to come for sure 👀," another fan said.

"Tbh, I am surprised Barron is making less money than Xhekaj. Same deal would've made sense," one fan said.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"Woke up and decided to do all his outstanding work for the summer I see," a fan said.

"Not sold on Barron. He's missing something," one fan said.

"At this rate Guhle will be signed by 5pm" a fan said, talking about Montreal giving out contracts to players.

"Time to prove he belongs ig," a fan said.

Justin Barron's impressive season for the Montreal Canadiens

Justin Barron, 22, has been a key defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens. Last season, he played 48 games for Montreal, scoring seven goals and providing six assists. He also had 11 points (2G, 9A) in 32 AHL games with the Laval Rocket. Since debuting in 2020-21, Barron has 12 goals and 18 assists in 94 NHL games with Montreal and the Colorado Avalanche.

In the AHL, he has 51 points (15G, 36A) in 107 games with Laval and the Colorado Eagles. Barron was picked 25th overall by Colorado in the 2020 NHL draft.

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes signs defenseman Arber Xhekaj

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced a two-year, $2.6 million deal with defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The contract, effective from 2024-25 to 2025-26, has an average annual salary of $1.3 million.

Last season, Xhekaj played 44 games with Montreal, earning 10 points (3G, 7A) and leading in penalty minutes (81) and hits (125). He also contributed three goals and eight assists in 17 games with the Laval Rocket. Xhekaj, 23, initially joined the Canadiens on Oct. 4, 2021, with a three-year, entry-level contract.