Oilers Looking at UFA Tyson Barrie to Replace Oscar Klefbom?

In a couple of social media posts that updated the status of two defensemen — one for the Edmonton Oilers and the other a former Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner — the news surrounding both players could tease to a new look for Edmonton on the blue line heading into the 2020-21 NHL season.

First, news broke that offensive-defenseman Tyson Barrie would be officially heading to the free agent market in October. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported the story and mentioned that both Cody Ceci and Barrie would be testing the market as UFA’s come October 9th. In an unrelated Tweet, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote the following:

One situation EDM is monitoring: Oscar Klefbom is weighing options to deal with injuries from last season. One of the possibilities is surgery that could keep him out long-term (obviously, we don’t know when next season will begin). His absence would need to be addressed.

If the Oilers learn that Klefbom will be out some time and Barrie becomes available on the free agent market, it’s not hard to understand why the Oilers might want to look in Barrie’s direction. Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer brought this up in a recent Tweet and said, “One potential UFA D to me that could be a good fit in Edmonton would be Tyson Barrie.” He added, “Had tough year in Toronto. Elite offensive right shot D who has had multiple 50+ point seasons.”

One potential UFA D to me that could be a good fit in Edmonton would be Tyson Barrie.
Had tough year in Toronto.
Elite offensive right shot D who has had multiple 50+ point seasons. https://t.co/UtDtXC0x8W

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) September 30, 2020

While Barrie is not known for his defensive awareness, could he be a good fit where Klefbom might leave a hole on the Oilers first-unit power play or in key offensive situations?

A Potential Issue In Any Barrie Signing

The issue, if Edmonton is looking at Barrie as a solution here is that he plays the same side as Adam Larsson. Larsson is typically Klefbom’s defense partner on the top line and Barrie coming in would change that equation for the Oilers.

In essence, Barrie isn’t a replacement so much as he is an option that does many of the same things Klefbom would do if out any significant amount of time. It could explain why the Oilers are rumored to be in on Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He’s a left-side d-man who would slot in right where Klefbom would have been.

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