Connect with us

Featured

Could Tyson Barrie Earn Himself Another Contract In Toronto?

If the NHL resumes and the Maple Leafs get a chance to put out Tyson Barrie in the last run of the regular season and playoffs, can he earn another contract?

Most insiders believe Tyson Barrie’s time in Toronto is coming to an end. A pending unrestricted free agent who was brought over in trade but never really turned into the solution the Maple Leafs would have hoped he’d be, the team has a sizeable overhaul on their blue line coming. Barrie may not be a part of it.

But, one scribe wonders if there’s a chance Barrie can earn himself another contract in Toronto, based almost exclusively on his play and production, leading to wins when it matters most?

Jonas Siegel of The Athletic [subscription required] wonders if Barrie can do more than just boost his value in free agency, but earn another offer from Toronto should the league resume play and the Maple Leafs take part in the playoffs. Siegel cites Barrie’s previous playoff experience, specifically this past season with the Colorado Avalanche. He was an impactful player for the team leading the Avs with 24 minutes a night and scoring 8 points in 12 games.

Siegel isn’t suggesting Barrie will get that kind of ice time this season, but it doesn’t mean he can’t be effective, produce offense and turn some heads. Siegel writes:

“Still, perhaps Barrie can be for the Leafs what Fred VanVleet was for the Raptors during their title run — a more than occasional spark off the bench. Pop Barrie out for as many 5-on-5 offensive zone draws as possible, let him go to work on the power play, and maybe the 28-year-old can bring some instant offence. Those smaller doses of Barrie might not be what the Leafs had in mind when they sprung for the pending UFA in a trade for Kadri last summer, but it can still be useful.

And, if Barrie can offer more than that? The Maple Leafs would be looking for some blue line help this offseason and Barrie’s timing in free agency isn’t exactly ideal to cash in on the open market.

Siegle adds:

Make a splash after the season returns and Barrie will boost free agent value that figures to be hurt by the stalled season and a year, personally, that fell below expectations. Maybe there’s even a world (unlikely as it seems) where he comes back to the Leafs.

Related: Is the Ottawa Senators Erik Brännström Closer to Finding a Roster Spot?

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

More News

Discover more from NHL Trade Talk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading