The Calgary Flames have placed defenseman Tyson Barrie on waivers, marking the end of his time as part of the team after limited appearances this season. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Barrie's struggles have led to this pivotal move.
Barrie, who has only made 13 NHL appearances this season, has faced significant obstacles due to injuries and being made a healthy scratch on multiple occasions. The 33-year-old veteran has contributed just one goal and two assists during his brief stint on the ice, averaging only 15:48 minutes of playtime per game. This season has certainly been challenging for Barrie, contrasting sharply with his previous output.
Once, Barrie was known for his offensive prowess. He reached the 50-point milestone three times throughout his career, with his last standout performance bringing him 55 points during the 2022-23 season when he played 85 games split between the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators. Sadly, his performance has significantly dipped since then, only managing one goal and 14 assists over 41 games with the Predators last season.
His recent statistics tell the tale of his declining impact. Reports indicate the Flames controlled just 48.11% of the expected goals with Barrie on the ice this season, illustrating the struggles he's faced as part of the Flames' defensive lineup.
Barrie’s career began with the Colorado Avalanche, who drafted him 64th overall in 2009. After eight successful seasons with the Avalanche, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, continuing his NHL career and also making stops with the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators. Throughout his 14 seasons, Barrie has amassed impressive numbers with 110 goals and 508 points across 822 NHL games, ranking ninth in scoring among defensemen since his debut.
Following the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Barrie has not practiced with the Flames, heightening speculation about his future. If no team claims him off waivers, he is expected to be assigned to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, where he has already spent some time this season on a conditioning loan, recording one goal and two assists across two games.
The necessity for this waiver move stems from the Flames' need to activate Connor Zary from injured reserve. Zary has been sidelined for 15 games due to a lower-body injury, making his long-awaited return all the more pressing for the Flames. Barrie's waiver provides the team with the roster space needed as they prepare for upcoming games.
While this decision about Barrie might seem disheartening for the veteran, it opens up opportunities for younger defensemen like Ilya Solovyov and Yan Kuznetsov. The Flames had recently recalled these players, who will now take on the responsibility of filling the void left by Barrie’s diminished performance.
Reflecting on his career, Barrie has also left his mark on the international stage, representing Canada multiple times, including winning gold at the 2015 World Championship and participating at both the 2011 World Juniors and subsequent senior tournaments.
Now, as the Flames look toward the future, one has to wonder what’s next for Tyson Barrie—it remains to be seen whether another NHL team will take the chance on the former top-four defenseman or whether he will continue his career path with the Wranglers. Meanwhile, the Flames are determined to solidify their roster and improve their standing as they head back to play this weekend against the Sharks.