Barrie-d by an Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers are rife with up and coming two-way defencemen. Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, Martin Marincin, Brandon Davidson, Dillon Simpson, and Martin Gernat just to name a few. They do have by my count four proper offensive dmen in their system, Justin Schultz, Jordan Oesterle, Joey Laleggia, and Brad Hunt but none are ready for full-time duty in the NHL yet.

Yes, Schultz has been thrown into the fire but at this point he’s not coming out unscathed. He’s coming out scathed… Very scathed. So I’d argue that he isn’t even ready and is still a 3rd pairing special teams defender. The Oilers need a blueliner that can move the puck, score, isn’t afraid to get scuffed up a bit and doesn’t mind doing the scruffing either. Does anyone else think that he’s lost all confidence similar to the way Yak did earlier in the year?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVf-EGetzgg

Today I bring to you Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche.

The former 3rd round pick (64th overall) in 2009 has really come on as the Avalanche’s main threat from the blueline. Over the last three years Barrie has accumulated 104pts in 186 games. Last season was his best as he scored 12 goals and 41 assists for 53 points in 80 games. Conversely, the Oilers top scorer from the blueline, Justin Schultz, has played in 203 games in the last three years and has contributed 91 points.

Why Tyson Barrie? I like his confidence on the puck, his ability to find the open man or get open and provide a legitimate offensive option for his linemates. I think he’s an intelligent offensive defenceman and I’m willing to cut bait on Schultz even though he’s still got the potential to break out of this funk he’s in. Not only that but he’s a very good right-handed shooting defender.

Colorado couldn’t be asked to give up a player like Barrie for picks and prospects because at the moment he’s their only real scorer from the blue. But they’ve got Stefan Elliott (19-21-40 in 64 AHL games with Lake Erie) and Chris Bigras (7 assists in 4 AHL games) coming up not to mention Duncan Siemens and Mason Geertsen. But I do wonder if they’d bite on Schultz and Bogdan Yakimov or a deal centered around Yakupov. Iginla and Tanguay aren’t getting any younger and there’s nobody coming down the pipeline on the right side for the Avs so perhaps there’d be something there. Yak on the right side of MacKinnon or Duchene? Not too shabby I say.

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Take Care!