Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency Preview: Defenseman

Tyson Barrie

Tyson Barrie hasn’t fit in with the Toronto Maple Leafs the way Kyle Dubas would like. In Colorado he was putting up 50+ points in just 65-70ish games but that hasn’t been the case in Toronto.

In his first season with the Leafs, he has been a bit disappoint with only 39 points in 70 games. With Gardiner departing to Carolina last offseason, Tyson has quickly become the fan bases new scapegoat.

Like Faulk, he was constantly in trade rumors over the past couple of years, and his name was even thrown around again at the deadline. I wouldn’t put too much stock into it, but there were some rumblings that he was a guy Don Waddell called about at the deadline to replace some of Hamilton’s production.

He is reportedly looking to sign a long term deal with an AAV around 9 million per. This is something that the Hurricanes should stay far away from. Not to say that he’s not a quality player, it just seems like a massive overpayment for a guy who hasn’t played a full 82 game season yet over his nine year career.

It’s been reported that the two sides are working on an extension that would keep Barrie a Leaf long term, but given the fact that a massive chunk of their cap space is tied up in four players, it’s hard to see a deal finalized without Tyson coming down from his high asking price.

On the open market, Barrie is likely to be the best right shot D, should Pietrangelo sign an extension with St. Louis. Because of this, plus the demand for this type of player, he’s going to get paid.

It wouldn’t be all that shocking if he ended up in Vancouver when next season starts. The Canucks had a trade that was so close to being completed that even Barrie himself thought he was off to BC. Vancouver’s name was once again thrown around at the deadline when it came to possible landing spots.

Putting two and two together, it only makes sense that he’ll be their number one target whenever the UFA signing period opens.