“There’s no question in my mind, I think Tyson Barrie is going to be traded.”
Those words came from the mouth of Bob McKenzie during an interview on Friday on TSN 1260. Now this isn’t Eklund claiming to know something he doesn’t know. This is Bob “The Insider of Insiders” McKenzie. He knows a little bit about hockey rumours, if there’s ever a concern.
Folks, for some strange reason, the Colorado Avalanche want to trade defenceman Tyson Barrie.
This could be great news for the Oilers. According to McKenzie,
[Barrie] is precisely the type of defenseman that the Edmonton Oilers would be interested in having. So there may be a fit there. We’ll see.
Back in April, I wrote about the possibility of the Oilers acquiring Barrie. Please allow me to restate the reasons why I think adding Barrie is a splendid idea.
First, he’s a right-shot defenceman. The Oilers have lots of left-shot defencemen, but Mark Fayne is currently their top option on the right side.
Second, he’s a power play quarterback. This is another big need for the Oilers. Barrie has 21 points on the power play–good for fourteenth among NHL defencemen.
Third, he’s a good possession player. Among Colorado’s regular defencemen, Barrie had the best Corsi Relative.
Fourth, he’s only 24 years old. Barrie is probably the perfect age for the Oilers’ young core.
Woodguy has provided a detailed analysis of Barrie on his blog. His conclusion:
I’m still not sure he could slide into 1RD without some issues (mainly defensive ones), but I’m all for adding him at the supposed cost and price as he could absolutely explode with the right partner and both Klefbom and Sekera would be very good for him.
Our own Supernova and Alex Thomas have also recently written about Barrie.
Elliotte Friedman, another reliable insider, added additional information on the Barrie trade rumours during a segment on HNIC Saturday night.
Tyson Barrie’s future there is not that certain but I don’t think [the Avalanche] want to trade him until they can add some help. I believe one of the targets is Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba. I’m not saying Winnipeg’s going to do it, but I think that’s a player Colorado would like to get its hands on.
So the Avs want to trade Barrie but want to add a defenceman before they trade him? Why not just keep Barrie? Who knows what goes on in the minds of Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy. Maybe something about Barrie not being a “plus player.”
Before you get too excited about the Oilers acquiring Barrie, keep in mind that the Oilers will probably have lots of competition. And while I’d like to see the Oilers get Barrie, I don’t want them to overpay to do so (e.g., Hall for Barrie). Edit: To clarify, what I meant is that Hall for Barrie is in my opinion an overpay.
Let’s say the Oilers could add Barrie and also add another right shot defenceman. My preference might be UFA Jason Demers because he costs only money. Adding both Barrie and Demers would give the Oilers a pretty solid group of defencemen.
Klefbom – Demers
Sekera – Barrie
Nurse – Davidson
These are anxious moments for Oilers fans as our mood rises and falls with every word from Messrs. McKenzie, Friedman, and LeBrun.
Hurry up, June 24.
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