27-Year-Old Defenseman Re-Signs with the Predators

Since coming into the NHL in 2015, Nashville Predators defenseman Alex Carrier has been known to have a stout defensive presence on the ice for his team and ability to remain on the ice over the past few seasons, as the six-year defenseman has played in 70 or more games in two of the past three seasons with the Predators. However, the 27-year-old has struggled to consistently produce offensively in the NHL. Through 217 career games in the NHL, Carrier has only recorded 10 goals, 52 assists, and 62 points. Despite this, Carrier remains a valuable piece to a team’s defensive roster as he provides a physical force that can put fear in his opponents’ eyes. With that said, it was reported that Carrier and the Predators have agreed to a three-year extension, worth $11.25 million.  

Carrier’s hockey career started in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League at the age of 16, where he focused on his skills over four seasons from 2012 to 2016 with the Gatineau Olympiques. In his QMJHL career, Carrier recorded 29 goals, 108 assists, and 137 points in 242 games played. His work ethic and play on the ice paid off as Carrier would be drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, Carrier quickly climbed the ranks within the Predator’s AHL affiliate with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he led the Admirals’ defense in scoring with six goals and was named to the AHL All-Star Game in his first season in 2015-16. On January 21st, 2017, Carrier would make his NHL debut against the Vancouver Canucks but would be sent back down after two straight scoreless games. 

Even though Carrier’s offensive numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, the defenseman has demonstrated his ability to continue making an impact in crucial moments during the Predators’ postseason run last season. In their first-round series against the Vancouver Canucks, Carrier would score his first career postseason goal in Game Five. Despite the Predators’ eventual elimination in six games to Vancouver, Carrier proved his potential to step up offensively when needed in high-stakes moments. Entering next season with the Predators, Carrier will look to build off his 2023-24 season and carry that over to Nashville as they begin the grueling 82-game regular season in a couple of months.