Vancouver Canucks: The Great Tyson Barrie Debate
If Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning wants to win, Trader Jim needs to call the Colorado Avalanche and bring defenseman Tyson Barrie home.
Nobody is sure how involved the Vancouver Canucks are, but everything is pointing to Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie being traded this offseason, most likely in the next handful of months.
Indubitably, the list of teams interested in acquiring Barrie’s services is large. Expect the market to open up even more. The want for transition-game players should grow, especially now that the Pittsburgh Penguins are proving that a top-six almost solely consisting of the shifty two-way type of blueliners can win championships.
Look at Olli Maatta, Justin Schultz and Kris Letang on the Penguins’ blue line. Tell me that teams are not looking to add similar pieces to their blueline to mimic a winning formula.
If the Avalanche intends to move Barrie, they will have no issue whatsoever. The price will continue to peak as the draft gets closer and as teams raise the stakes.
If there’s one thing that we learned about Jim Benning in the trade for Erik Gudbranson, it is that Trader Jim does not like wasting time. He jumped at the opportunity to snatch the defenseman off the table before other teams “smelled the blood”. Who knows how much more Gudbranson would have fetched had other teams got their licks in.
For this reason, GM Jim Benning might not like to pursue Barrie. The entire league is after him and the table is getting too crowded with suitors who have more assets than the Canucks do.
Whatever overpaying is, it will be the one and only market price.
But are the Canucks ready to take on this Tyson Barrie trading nemesis? There is a great case both for and against trading for Tyson Barrie. Here are ten of those thoughts as I struggle myself to make my mind on whether Tyson Barrie would work for the Canucks and make all forget about the steep price the Canucks will have to pay the Colorado Avalanche.
Next: FOR BARRIE: Undeniable Offense from the Defense
FOR BARRIE: Undeniable Offense from the Defense
As simple as it is, the offensive punch Tyson Barrie can bring to any NHL blueline is formidable. His point totals and his shot-possession metrics testify.
He is a consistent 50-point per season producer who is constantly in the double digits in the goals column. Considering the Canucks didn’t have a single defenseman scoring more than half a dozen goals last year, Barrie is an obvious choice.
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More numbers talk here. Putting assists into perspective, Barrie’s 40-assist seasons equals the sum of Alex Edler (14) and Ben Hutton (24)’s seasons. That’s not considering goals. Barrie had 13 while Edler and Hutton combined for seven, though Edler was injured for 30 games this season.
Barrie’s only getting better. The 24-year-old was a 5.12 shots per 60 in 2013-14, while he put up 4.89 shots per 60 in 2014-15. This past season he took shots at a 5.70 shots per 60 rate. Considering that the past season was the first season that Barrie started more D-zone shifts than O-zone ones, this shows that the man is still improving.
He has always been a positive possession guy; he was always a positive relative Corsi player for the Avalanche, including his rookie season. Perhaps underrated because of his lack of size is how lethal his shot is.
Of course, his wheels and his stick handling skills are among the top in the league amongst defensemen. Many compare him to Kris Letang, Brent Burns, and even Erik Karlsson when discussing what Barrie’s value as a point producer.
Bottomline is this — had Barrie played for the Canucks this season, his offensive numbers would have been the best one aside from the Sedins. He single-handedly solves the blueline’s offensive problems.
Next: AGAINST BARRIE: The Offense is Already Coming
AGAINST BARRIE: The Offense is Already Coming
Barrie is undeniably an elite offensive defenseman — sure. You can’t deny that and I won’t either. But is offense from the blueline an immediate need when the forwards can’t score? Let the scorers score and the defenders defend.
The space for Barrie, the trade price for Barrie, and the money for Barrie is better spent if the Canucks grab Milan Lucic, Kyle Okposo, or even push for Steven Stamkos. More on that later.
But the truth is this, that the Canucks are already looking better on the blueline in terms of offensive flash. Ben Hutton is only going to improve as he learns the league and trains himself to the full brunt of the 82-game season.
Alex Edler will score more than six goals next year. Hutton, certainly, will score more than just one goal. Have you not forgotten how injured this blueline was throughout the season?
Chris Tanev is going to work with a shooting coach over the offseason. As a player who is always on the ice at least 20 minutes a game, an improvement in Tanev will certainly cause an impact.
But do not forget Philip Larsen, the restricted free agent acquired from the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the year. He was amongst the top offensive defenseman in the KHL. Larsen had 11 goals and 36 points in 52 games with the Jokerit. That would be the fifth-best point total and the second-best goal total by a KHL defenseman during the regular season.
Do not forget about the new addition Erik Gudbranson, either. He has a cannon of a shot that can score against the top netminders in the league:
Yes, the Canucks would like more offense and Barrie would be the key. But compared to the price that the Canucks will need to pay for him, the improved offensive potential of the new Canucks blueline should be enough a reason not to sacrifice big-time for Barrie.
Next: AGAINST BARRIE: A Defensive Logjam
AGAINST BARRIE: A Defensive Logjam
In addition, the Canucks already have six NHL-proven defensemen. Nikita Tryamkin and Luca Sbisa will round out the top-six which is already full with Erik Gudbranson, Ben Hutton, Alex Edler, and Chris Tanev.
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Philip Larsen figures to be the number seven defenseman who can be utilized on the power play. Pairing up the right-handed puck mover with a stay-at-home left-handed Tryamkin seems the best way to go.
That would result in three right-handed defensemen in the top six: Tanev, Gudbranson, and Larsen. No more complaining about playing the weak side, eh?
If the Canucks want to hold on to Luca Sbisa, Philip Larsen, and Nikita Tryamkin, there isn’t room for Barrie. The argument that his right-handedness benefits the blueline can only go so far and Larsen could prove to be a cheap option as a right-handed puck mover that the Canucks have lacked for so long.
Don’t forget Dan Hamhuis. If the Canucks had to move out Luca Sbisa, wouldn’t Dan Hamhuis a good option to bring stability and leadership to the back end? He certainly would be cheaper than Barrie.
The puck-moving doesn’t end with Larsen, either. Do not forget about prized Jordan Subban who is carving himself into a serviceable NHL option. He was one of the better AHL defensemen this past season. Barrie would certainly push Subban away from an NHL career with the Canucks.
And look who is behind Subban in the prospects depth chart? No one, really. Carl Neill and Tate Olson could be making the AHL but not much more is beyond Troy Stecher and Subban.
Next: FOR BARRIE: Versatile like Never Before
FOR BARRIE: Versatile like Never Before
Alright, so you say that there isn’t room for Tyson Barrie on the blueline. There’s room on the offense, surely? That’s why there is all the chatter about Milan Lucic, Troy Brouwer, Andrew Ladd, and Loui Eriksson, isn’t it?
The Canucks need speed and skill not only on the blueline but also up the wings. Barrie, though small as a winger, has all the skillset to be a successful playmaker and scorer when paired with larger linemates.
And as a defenseman, Tyson Barrie, I would think, will make a very defensively-aware winger. If he manages to play as a left winger, the possibilities are pretty good:
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T. Barrie — B. Sutter — A. Rodin
This looks pretty good to me. Sutter can be the big centerman who can play the speedy game and provide good defensive coverage while Barrie sneaks around opposition defenders. Rodin would play the scoring role as the sniper who wouldn’t be bound by much defensive responsibility considering his linemates consist of a defender and a pretty good defensive centerman.
Looking at the success that Brent Burns has had as a forward-defenseman hybrid, Barrie could try to mimic the All-Star defenseman, though lacking the ideal size and frame that Burns has.
As the previous point said, if forwards need to score and defenders need to defend, make Barrie a forward.
The powerplay becomes so much more potent with Barrie’s addition. The timely addition of Gudbranson also helped the powerplay that could look like this with Barrie’s coming:
The possibilities look pretty good to me. The Canucks could have one of the most well-rounded powerplay units in the entire league.
Next: AGAINST BARRIE: Do the MATH and Look AHEAD
AGAINST BARRIE: Do the MATH and Look Ahead
Do not forget. Although he is the most certain to sign, Tyson Barrie is a Restricted Free Agent. He is 24 years old. He is a 50-point defenseman. Think he will sign your everyday top-four deal? Think again.
Expect the Barrie party to look for at least $5.5 million AAV, perhaps even up to $6.5 million per year. The contract is surely going to be at least four years long, most likely about six years in total.
The Vancouver Canucks wanted to bring in a big free agent forward, didn’t they? Once again, get forwards who can score, get defenders who can defend. Barrie likely means that the Canucks won’t be able to sign much with the remaining cap space, which currently stands at about $9.5 million.
But that’s not the only problem. Look ahead into the future.
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Sven Baertschi needs an extension. Bo Horvat needs an extension as his ELC concludes this coming season. Ben Hutton and Nikita Tryamkin are both becoming Restricted Free Agents, while Erik Gudbranson will require an extension sooner rather than later.
Oh, and Jacob Markstrom is heading to unrestricted free agency next year. Please keep him here and not rush sophomore pro Thatcher Demko into the number one role.
The Canucks need money to spend next year. Including Sven Baertschi, that list reads starting netminder, three potential top-four defensemen, and two top-six forwards who will need to be kept.
Want to keep the youth movement going? How about not spending $40 million on Tyson Barrie over the next six years.
Next: FOR BARRIE: The Nashville Model is Working
FOR BARRIE: The Nashville Predators Model is Working
Sure, the defense is an unproven hot mess that eats up cash and a potential hindrance to signing the to-be free agents. But did not the Nashville Predators prove that having handfuls of top-four talent is the key to getting what a team wants via trading?
When the Nashville Predators traded out defenseman Seth Jones for Vancouver-native center Ryan Johansen they extended their season by a couple of playoff series. They still managed to have Shea Weber, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, and Mattias Ekholm locked up for the next three years.
Of course, that is just one case that proves that defensive depth in the top-four is a powerful trading tool. But look at what the Canucks are amassing on the blueline and it sure looks like it will grow to be a point of surplus.
The Canucks will definitely need to make a “Johansen trade” if they aren’t able to find suitable free agent replacements for the lead pivot role.
I would have to think that a depth chart with Luca Sbisa and Nikita Tryamkin as the number six and number six defensemen, respectively, is a pretty deep one. Especially in a couple of years’ time.
Next: FOR BARRIE: A Trade Works Perfectly
FOR BARRIE: A Trade Works Perfectly
The Canucks need cap space but they also need Tyson Barrie. When is this not the case? There is never a trade that allows a team to be cheaper and better, to add, add, and add without paying a single cent for it.
The Canuck Way has already proposed a potential trade for Tyson Barrie. Editor Janik Beichler had this in mind:
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This is a great trade. The Canucks are better off selling the #5 pick high and looking for Mikhail Sergachev, Logan Brown, Olli Juolevi, or Tyson Jost with the #10 pick. One of them will be available for sure at that pick.
But I think there is a better piece that can be moved to satisfy both parties. Enter Luca Sbisa.
The Colorado Avalanche wants a big defenseman who can play physically in the back end. That’s the main reason behind pushing Barrie, the 5-foot-10 defender, onto the trade block, as Terry Frei of the Denver Post points out.
“Patrick Roy really wants to get a big, strong defence. I think he really believes that Tyson Barrie should be at best a fifth defenceman and a power play specialist.” (Terry Frei, Denver Post)
I think that Sbisa fits the bill more of less there. Sbisa would be worth at least as much worth as Jannik Hansen while his $3.6 million contract will provide more relief when moved than Hansen’s $2.5 million AAV contract. Here it goes.
The Canucks also wouldn’t mind doing this with free agency in mind.
Supposing that Barrie takes a $6 million annual average value, the first deal would cost the Canucks $2.4 million for the next couple of seasons. If Hansen gets involved, the trade will be virtually equal in salary transactions.
This allows the Canucks to still pursue a top-six forward in free agency while pairing up Barrie with big Nikita Tryamkin. I never believed that a Tryamkin-Sbisa pairing will work because of the lack of mobility and experience.
Excuse me if I forgot to consider Sbisa in the previous thoughts. I already had him penciled in on the way out to Colorado.
Next: AGAINST BARRIE: It's Not the BENNING WAY
AGAINST BARRIE: It’s Not the BENNING WAY
In case you forgot what kind of a person Trader Jim is, here’s a recap.
Let’s trade small Hunter Shinkaruk for high-floor, low-ceiling Mikael Markus Granlund. Nicklas Jensen has not been able to round out his defensive game, so let’s get some more second-tier physicality in Emerson Etem.
Well, there goes the defensively invalid Nick Bonino for foundational players like Brandon Sutter. Erik Gudbranson is going to destroy the Pacific Division with his 6-foot-5 frame.
What does that say about Benning liking Tyson Barrie?
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Barrie is small, he is not physical, he is not a known leader. Defensively Barrie is not so reliable. A good comparison may be made to Yannick Weber‘s defensive abilities, save that Barrie is 10 pounds lighter than Weber is.
Check out Barrie’s abilities on display here, thanks to our folks at Mile High Sticking. It is a very good read with great analysis of Barrie play-by-play.
Lastly, that fifth overall pick is supposed to turn into Jim Benning’s prized possession Pierre-Luc Dubois. A high draft pick is going to get people into the seats in Rogers Arena. The Canucks cannot afford to put on display another shaky season without having a new young face in the lineup to point to and say “youth movement”.
Think Benning cares about Sbisa coughing up the puck and Tryamkin shooting it down the ice and falling to his knees panting? Sbisa is going to turn into a top-four defenseman with good skating abilities:
Next: FOR BARRIE: A Homecoming is a Bigger Selling Point
FOR BARRIE: A Homecoming is still a Selling Point
Say what you want to say about Tyson Barrie. You cannot change the fact that Barrie is native of Victoria, British Columbia, and was a point-per-game defenseman for the Kelowna Rockets. He has been a mainstay in the Northwest Division with the Avalanche, and now he is due for a homecoming.
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Think selecting Pierre-Luc Dubois over Mikhail Sergachev, Olli Juolevi, Logan Brown, or Tyson Jost is going to get the fans cheering? Wait until you see how many pour in when Tyson Barrie makes his Canucks debut.
The argument goes out the window when we consider the dynamic high-tempo transition game that Barrie brings to the ice with flashes of skill and a magnificent shot. He’s the real deal that gets the crowd going nuts just about all the time except when he is down on the ice after getting checked.
Especially after watching the Pittsburgh Penguins defense playing such an up-beat series with six Barrie-like blueliners, the hockey is going to be spectacular. The Canucks have size to offer, too.
The Vancouver Canucks have a lot of things going for them. Free agency is going to open with a bang but not before the entry draft which will surely result in more gray on GM Jim Benning’s head. The Tyson Barrie debate is far from being over.
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But let me tell you, if the Canucks can work Barrie into the lineup, the group will be able to challenge for the playoffs pretty darn well.
Hearing lots of chatter about Vancouver. Seems like they are highly interested in Barrie.
— NRD (@NHLRumorsDaily) June 10, 2016
Stay tuned.