Tyson Barrie Available In “Hockey Deal”

As rumors swirl around defensemen all over the league, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was talking about the various available players on CHED 630 in Edmonton. Friedman says that he has been told Tyson Barrie of the Avalanche is available in a “hockey deal.” That would mean something akin to the Drouin-Sergachev deal from yesterday, one that helps both teams instead of just a contract dump.

Barrie signed a four-year extension just a year ago, one that could have contributed to Patrick Roy’s departure before the season. Earning $5.5MM per season, Barrie’s numbers took a dip this season like everyone else on the Colorado roster. The smooth skating defender still put up 38 points and was a positive possession player, but recorded a league-worst -34 rating on the year.

Set to turn 26 this summer, Barrie is starting to look like he won’t be able to help the next iteration of the Avalanche very much, meaning getting as much as possible for him before he hits free agency would be a wise move for Joe Sakic and company. Whether that high point is now, or after a potential bounce-back 2017-18 season (when the Avalanche should be better simply because of how historically bad they were this year) is something the team will have to decide.

A right-shot defenseman capable of putting up 50 points is basically on the wish list of every team in the NHL, meaning there would be plenty of suitors should the Avalanche be serious about moving him. What exactly would be wanted in return in a “hockey deal” is unclear, as Colorado should be stockpiling picks and prospects, not anything that would help them this season. Alas, the desire to make the playoffs likely runs through their blood just a year removed from their respectable 2015-16 season, but making a deal for a veteran winger like Jordan Eberle (who has been tenuously linked to the Avalanche) would be a mistake.