Blues Claim Justin Barron Off Waivers Amid Mailloux and Tucker Injuries
- Louis Blues claimed defenseman Justin Barron off waivers from the Nashville Predators on September 27, 2026, according to reporting from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
- He spent the previous two seasons with the Predators, where he recorded 21 points in 97 games.
- The claim follows an injury to Logan Mailloux, who left a preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks on September 27.
The St. Louis Blues claimed defenseman Justin Barron off waivers from the Nashville Predators on September 27, 2026, according to reporting from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The move arrives as the Blues face immediate injuries to their defensive corps, including a knee injury to Tyler Tucker and a preseason injury to Logan Mailloux.
Barron, 24, joins St. Louis as the fourth team in his six-year NHL career. He spent the previous two seasons with the Predators, where he recorded 21 points in 97 games. Over his professional career, Barron has totaled 52 points in 208 games and averages 97 shot blocks and 91 hits per 82 games, per prohockeyrumors.com.
Blues Defensive Injuries and Roster Shifts
The claim follows an injury to Logan Mailloux, who left a preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks on September 27. Prohockeyrumors.com reports that the acquisition of Barron may indicate the team expects Mailloux to miss significant time. Mailloux recorded 13 points and 93 hits in 67 games during the previous season.
The Blues also announced that Tyler Tucker will miss the start of the season due to a knee injury. Prohockeyrumors.com states that Tucker’s absence is not expected to extend beyond the first week of the season. Tucker served as the team’s top enforcer last year, recording 17 points and 100 hits in 69 games.
To further bolster the blue line, the Blues recalled Adam Jiricek from the AHL, according to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic. Jiricek has not yet made his NHL debut.
Competition for the Seventh Defender Role
Barron is expected to compete for the seventh-defender spot on the roster. He will face competition from Tucker and defenseman Rosen. Prohockeyrumors.com notes that Barron’s career productivity marks in hits and shot blocks are slightly higher than those of either Rosen or Tucker.
While Tucker has historically provided a physical presence, the Blues may shift their primary enforcement duties to new addition winger Ross Johnston this season, according to prohockeyrumors.com.
Nashville Predators Waiver Exchange
The loss of Barron is part of a wider sequence of waiver activity for the Nashville Predators. Prohockeyrumors.com reports that the Predators claimed defenseman William Trudeau from the New York Rangers on Saturday, September 27.