Tyson Barrie Should Be Near the Top of the Oilers’ Offseason Wishlist

What is the Oilers’ biggest need? Defencemen–specifically top-4 defencemen.

Tyson Barrie is a top-4 defenceman, and it looks like the Colorado Avalanche might be crazy enough to trade him. Why do I think that’s a possibility? Recently coach Patrick Roy complained that Barrie isn’t a “plus player.”

Look around the league, look at the defensemen, and if they are plus, that’s how those teams are winning.

Most people no longer think that plus-minus is a good stat for judging a players’ ability. The truth is, if you’re on a bad team–the Avs have a goal differential of -22–and play lots of minutes, you’re probably going to be a “minus player.” But apparently Roy still thinks plus-minus is important.

Barrie currently has 49 points in 77 games (13 goals, 36 assists). His current cap hit is $2.6 million, but he’s an RFA this summer and due for a raise. What will Barrie’s new contract look like? Maybe Dougie Hamilton is a good comparable for Barrie. Last June, Hamilton signed a 6-year, $34.5 million contract ($5.75 million cap hit). Barrie will probably be looking for something similar.

If Roy and general manager Joe Sakic are unhappy that Barrie is a “minus player,” maybe they won’t have too much of an appetite to sign him to a big contract. If so, Peter Chiarelli has a chance to acquire an excellent and much-needed defender.

What would it take to get him? It’s hard to say because the Avs have made some head-scratcher trades in the last couple of years. If the ask is Eberle, would you say yes? I think I would.

So why should Barrie be near the top of the Oilers’ offseason wishlist?

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 22 points on the power play–good for fourteenth among NHL defencemen.

Third, he’s a good possession player. Among Colorado’s regular defencemen, Barrie has the best Corsi Relative.

Fourth, he’s only 24 years old. Barrie is probably the perfect age for the Oilers’ young core.

Chiarelli should be calling Sakic everyday, seeing if he can make a deal for Barrie. He’s exactly the kind of player the Oilers need.