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NHL Rumors: Tyson Barrie on the trade block?

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie (4) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period during a Stadium Series hockey game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie (4) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period during a Stadium Series hockey game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Elliotte Friedman the Avalanche are considering trading restricted free agent defenseman Tyson Barrie. 

The Colorado Avalanche are expected to make some big changes this offseason after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year. They have several important restricted free agents to take care of, one of them being defenseman Tyson Barrie. After a 49-point season that saw him tie his career high in goals (13) in 2015-16, Barrie will likely see a significant raise from his $3.2 million salary ($2.6 million cap hit). But will that be with the Avalanche? Elliotte Friedman does not believe so.

“Oh, I think he’s definitely in play,” said Friedman, via 630 CHED. “I think [Barrie] is going to go.”

Barrie could get a solid return for the Avalanche, particularly from a team like the Edmonton Oilers who are willing to trade the fourth overall pick if it helps their team long-term. However, it’s embarrassing that the Avalanche have put themselves in a situation where trading Barrie might be the only solution and management ought to be held accountable for their mistakes. They have already committed a $10.5 million cap hit to Erik Johnson and Francois Beauchemin. At 35 years old, Beauchemin is on the wrong side of 30, and at 28 years old, Johnson will shortly be joining Beauchemin.

Signing Barrie long-term could mean that the Avalanche would need commit roughly $21 million to their blue line, which would put them near the top five in the NHL for highest paid blue lines. Should Barrie be on the trade block, expect numerous teams to express interest. He’s the type of defenseman who teams would love to find a way to get.

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