The Nashville Predators are active this offseason and back to the 2024 NHL trade deadline as defenceman Alexandre Carrier re-signs. This is according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. Carrier will continue to be a strong depth option to the team’s top-six. Look for him to make an impact as he has done and gives his club a chance at being competitive in 2024-25. Terms have yet to be disclosed.
Alexandre Carrier and the Nashville Predators are close to finalizing a contract extension. He would be have been UFA tomorrow
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2024
Alexandre Carrier Right-Shot D-Man Re-Signs With the Nashville Predators
Carrier is a 27-year-old defenceman who had played parts of six seasons with the Nashville Predators. Furthermore, he is a versatile defenceman who can play either specialty teams units. In 2021-22 he enjoyed some power play time and put up a career-year offensively. He finished that campaign with 30 points in 77 games, both career-highs. He wasn’t quite on that pace this year with four goals and 16 assists in 73 games. However, one reason he didn’t approach his career-high offensive season, was not being utilized more frequently on the power play. Moreover, he has been used on the penalty kill this year. Throughout his career, he is a plus 19 minute-a-night guy, with his career-high of 20:59, again coming in 2021-22.
Carrier was set to become a free agent in the offseason, so it was a decision Nashville had to make. He was previously making $2.5 million, and given his age, heading into his prime years for a defenceman, contract negotiations likely required some finesse.
What Does This Mean for Nashville
Nashville themselves as an organization seems to be a team in flux. Thanks to their pipeline of goaltenders from Pekka Rinne passing on the torch to Juuse Saros, they have remained competitive for some time. However, this year, like many others in recent memory, they found themselves fighting for a playoff spot. Opposed to say, being comfortably a perennial playoff contender. Hence, they are always looking to build for the future. Keeping Carrier is an example of that, in that they know what value he brings to the club. This can really help General Manager Barry Trotz focus on identifying others roster pieces that need improvement. Carrier provides skills and can help slot in throughout your top-six. Sure this may be just one small step in the process, but one thing you can never have too much of in the playoffs, is defensive depth.
Main photo: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
