December 7, 2023 | 12:30pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
BARRIE TRADE TALKS IN EXPLORATORY STAGE
Tyson Barrie, defenceman
The Nashville Predators upped their efforts to trade defenceman Tyson Barrie last week and since it got out over the weekend that his camp has been granted permission to speak with other clubs about a trade, it’s clear the Preds want to make a move sooner rather than later.
Barrie, 32, is in the final year of a three-year, $13.5 million contract. He was already paid out a $1.25 million bonus this season and is making $3.75 million in salary, making his actual dollars dished out more palatable for an acquiring team.
However, Barrie’s $4.5 million cap hit may be a slight concern for some teams looking to add an offensive-minded blueliner to their roster.
Predators GM Barry Trotz wasn’t overly thrilled that news of Barrie’s scenario made it to the public.
“We talked to the agent and really disappointed it got out because there’s only four people in the world that know about any conversation about anything, and somehow it got out,” Trotz said during an interview Tuesday on 102.5 The Game in Nashville. “I was very disappointed on that process and it didn’t come from the Preds – I do know that 100 per cent.”
Even though Barrie has struggled offensively so far this season – he currently has 10 assists and no goals in 23 games – some clubs believe his production is a result of his usage with the Predators and a change of scenery coupled with more opportunities could spark his scoring touch.
As trade discussions continue, one source close to the Predators told TFP those conversations remain in the “exploratory stage” and could escalate later this month.
Teams like the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils are speculated to have interest in Barrie, who does not own any no-trade protection.
There are other teams willing to be third-party players and take on a contract to help offset another team’s cap restraints, but that comes with a price and any team interested in exploring that option will need to be comfortable giving up another asset to incentivize a team to take on a contract.