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The Oilers Should Look at UFA Tyson Barrie: Here’s Why

Could the Edmonton Oilers be looking at Tyson Barrie as a UFA signing? If they aren’t, they probably should be.

TSN’s Frank Seravalli recently amended his top-ten unrestricted free agents list. Among the notable items, he suggests Alex Pietrangelo isn’t going to be affected by a flat salary cap, both Jacob Markstrom and Robin Lehner will likely end up staying with their current teams, and he could see Tyson Barrie on a one-year deal on the Edmonton Oilers power-play.

The last point is particularly interesting for Oilers fans considering there is buzz of late that the Oilers might be considering moving out one of, if not two of their top-four defensemen.

As per NHL insider Brian Lawton:

“I would not be surprised if some of the veteran d-corp got moved. As a matter of fact I expect, in my opinion, that we won’t see two of the guys next year who played Top 4 this year. I have no knowledge of that. That’s just my opinion.”

The Barrie Theory Is An Interesting One

Mixing these two insider reports together suggests an interesting theory.

First, let’s acknowledge that there’s no confirmation from the Oilers that the team is looking to trade a top-four defenseman. The only thing even close to resembling that idea is that GM Ken Holland did say he’s aware of the value his young, not-costly, and experienced defenseman might have on the market. Second, there’s no real way of knowing whether or not Tyson Barrie sees an opportunity in Edmonton.

Still, the pieces here could fit.

Barrie Needs to Up His Value

Barrie will be coming off a year in which he’s not looking so great from a free agent perspective. He was moved to Toronto in the hopes that he could solve some of their glaring issues on the blue line and not only was he not able to do so thanks to injuries and ineffective play, he had a considerable down year in production, scoring only 39 points in 70 games (down from 59 and 57-points seasons the years prior).

Still, Barrie is solid offensive defenseman and on an Oilers power play with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, there’s no reason he can’t hit that 50-plus point mark again… Maybe even 60 points. Perhaps there’s no better team than Edmonton for Barrie to up his numbers.

We already know the Oilers had a Barrie-like player in mind when they traded for Mike Green. While Green was likely never going to be in Edmonton’s top four, it was expected he’d see some prominent power play time.

Green’s retirement opens up the spot Holland was trying to fill on the man advantage.

Related: Oilers’ Mike Green Officially Announces NHL Retirement

The Oilers Need A Transitional Blueliner

Even if Edmonton doesn’t move two of their top-four defenseman as Lawton suggests, this franchise will find itself in a transition period, moving young entry-level defensemen into more prominent roles.

Players like Adam Larsson leaving the team is not a matter of if, but when. Players like Kris Russell and Oscar Klefbom are being surpassed by the likes of Ethan Bear and Darnell Nurse and with a flat salary cap, more players will need to be moved.

If Barrie is only looking for a one-year contract, he makes sense. It gives the Oilers a chance to take a closer look at players like Evan Bouchard, Caleb Jones and Philip Broberg and make sure they are ready to make the jump to regular duty in the NHL.

It Shouldn’t Cost That Much

As Seravalli points out, Pietrangelo is likely the only unrestricted free agent who won’t take a hit due to the flat cap. All others, including Barrie, will have to determine their best course of action to wait out this dip in revenues and a normalization of the cap in about two or three seasons.

If Barrie is interested in a one-year contract in the best possible situation, he’ll do so for cheap. He may not be $3 million, but there’s no reason to assume he won’t be around the same price tag Klefbom or Larsson, which puts the Oilers in a better spot.

Move one of Klefbom or Larsson for help at forward. Sign Barrie for the same money that just left. If Barrie doesn’t produce (and he will) the Oilers can walk away. They were likely to lose Larsson for nothing anyways.

If Barrie does pan out, perhaps he realizes being in Edmonton has its perks. The Oilers can negotiate with him a better deal for a longer term knowing he’s found his game. Remember, Barrie is only 29 years old. He’s hardly past his prime.

Next: Maple Leafs Unlikely to Qualify Evan Rodrigues

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