You won't believe which former star defenseman the Avalanche could be targeting ahead of next season
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche are most likely done with making any big moves before the NHL season starts, but the club should however consider taking a chance on former star defensemen Tyson Barrie.
The Avalanche would be wise to follow a strategy similar to what Minnesota recently did with veteran defenseman Jack Johnson.
Avalanche should seriously consider Barrie as bottom four option this season.
Nestor Quixtan of Mile High Sticking provided an out of the box solution for the lack of depth on the Avalanche blue line this season.
The squad is all set on the top end of their lineup but it's in the bottom six and bottom 3 defenseman where the concern starts to grow. The only way to solve this, this close to the season, is by looking at PTO options.
The veteran defensemen would provide little risk to the club on a PTO agreement and can contribute to their much needed depth on the back end.
"The Colorado Avalanche are likely done making big moves this offseason. So, the club is getting to that point in the offseason where some under-the-radar moves are made to round out the team's roster. Such moves include inviting players to training camp on Professional Tryout Contracts (PTO). Generally speaking, PTO candidates are players who are looking for one more shot at the NHL." -Quixtan
One player that nobody has thought about since the beginning of last season is former Avalanche standout Tyson Barrie.
"Barrie spent eight seasons in Colorado after being taken in the third round of the 2009 NHL Draft. He emerged as a solid top-pairing defenseman in his time with the Avalanche. He set a career-high 14 goals and 59 points in the 2018-19 season.
However, Barrie left Colorado as part of the blockbuster trade that brought Nazem Kadri to the Avs. At the time, the deal was considered a hockey trade. The Avalanche needed a top-six center, while the Toronto Maple Leafs were in desperate need of a top blue liner." -Quixtan
However, Barrie left Colorado as part of the blockbuster trade that brought Nazem Kadri to the Avs. At the time, the deal was considered a hockey trade. The Avalanche needed a top-six center, while the Toronto Maple Leafs were in desperate need of a top blue liner." -Quixtan
Barrie then went to play for Edmonton and Nashville. Last season he signed a PTO with Calgary and made the team but was cut after only 13 games.
Barrie would most likely slot in the 6th or 7th defensemen slot, but with Samuel Girard and John Manson's injury history along with a 40 year old Brent Burns, Barrie could provide that added safety net the Avalanche need.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
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