Tyson Barrie Trade Talk Heats Up, Canucks Still a Fit

When Vancouver Hockey Now first wrote about the possibility of the Vancouver Canucks acquiring Edmonton Oilers right-shot defenceman Tyson Barrie back on June 11th, there was interesting responses from fans in both the yay and nay categories.

Others have since come around. David Staples in the Edmonton Journal debated the topic from a statistical standpoint earlier this week. National outlets have included the Victoria native on their trade ‘watch lists’. The Journal article expanded on why he’d be expendable.

Evan Bouchard and Cody Ceci are ahead of Barrie on the depth chart and free agent lefty Brett Kulak is more affordable and can play both sides. Plus, Bouchard is gonna get a big pay bump when his entry-level expires next season.

Considering the Vancouver Canucks essentially have no depth on the right-side of the D-corps, and limited versatility as it stands, Barrie would be a welcome  addition at a reasonable $4.5-milliion cap hit over the next two seasons. Although a member of the third pair with the Oilers, he has been Edmonton’s power play quarterback. The Canucks have that spot covered with lefties Quinn Hughes and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but without a doubt, the more options the merrier.

Aside from adding depth to special teams, Barrie would make for a nice puck mover on the right side. Like in 2021-’22, and until more changes are made, the pairings look to be juggled, especially depending on how Luke Schenn holds up eating minutes protecting Quinn Hughes. Let’s face it, Barrie would have to be just one step in multiple moves by the Vancouver Canucks to change up the look. That means in the next three months.

Some critics can initially suggest that Barrie is just a slightly smaller, more expensive, five-years older version of Travis Dermott, but remember, Dermott is actually a lefty who can play the right side. Last year’s much improved statistics at five-on-five for Barrie would suggest otherwise, as does his skill set.

By the way, it’s possible were looking at Canucks righty Tucker Poolman, with three years left on his four-year contract, sitting on long-term-injured reserve for awhile.

So what to entice the Oilers with? Goalie depth in Michael DiPietro? Netminding is a glaring question mark for the Oilers and while DiPietro wouldn’t be the immediate answer for the big club, Edmonton needs to build out its depth and options at the position, just as the Canucks need to build out their depth on the blueline.

A second and a fourth round draft pick in 2023 could come into play, an extra 4th-rounder being the one the Canucks acquired at this year’s trade deadline for Tyler Motte.

Aside from netminding, Edmonton would like to bolster the left wing. That means re-signing UFA Evander Kane, an expensive proposition which conveniently involves freeing up Barrie’s money. The other option involves acquiring one from the Vancouver Canucks.

Which opens a trap door that factors in to other potential Vancouver moves moving forward … premature to move on from Nils Höglander, a lefty winger who can play either side?

Particularly with the addition of Andrey Kuzmenko, left side forward depth at this moment does not present a problem for the Vancouver Canucks. Blueline depth definitely does.