According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, it appears the Calgary Flames are going to sign veteran defenseman Tyson Barrie to an NHL contract. Barrie, who is with the team on a professional tryout has played in one preseason game. Still, it sounds like the organization is going to give Barrie the contract he was searching for when he took a chance despite the team having a fairly crowded blue line.
While the play of prospect Hunter Brzustewicz, has been a plus for the Flames, and he might have been a roadblock to Barrie getting an NHL deal, Seravalli doesn’t believe that will be much of a factor. During an appearance on Flames Talk with Pat Steinberg, Frank Seravalli noted that Brzustewicz’s performance shouldn’t impact Barrie’s future with the team.
“[Brzustewicz’s] spot, I don’t think would affect Tyson Barrie,” Seravalli said. “I believe they’re signing Barrie regardless. If Brzustewicz earns a spot, it would likely push someone else out.”
“I’ve worked hard all summer, I’ve got a good opportunity ahead of me.”
NHL veteran Tyson Barrie is vying for a role on the #Flames blueline as camp kicks off!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 20, 2024
This is great news for Barrie, who will look to rebound after a down season with the Nashville Predators in 2023-24. Barrie was moved to Nashville as part of a trade with the Edmonton Oilers that saw Edmonton acquire Mattias Ekholm. The trade was fantastic for the Oilers, but not so much for Nashville, where Barrie never really seemed to find his footing.
Barrie wasn’t brought back and wound up among several veteran defenders looking for a team to give him a look. The Flames did, and it appears to have paid off.
For Barrie, this is his chance to prove he’s got more in the tank, potentially earning another NHL contract as the Flames rebuild. At the very worst, a strong season would make him a potential trade asset at the deadline, where the Flames could flip Barrie to a team that needs an offensive power-play quarterback.
Nothing has been officially announced by the Flames and may not be until the end of preseason. However, if this is a player they know they want to sign, the Flame might be wise to do so, as a PTO is simply an invitation to play and allows Barrie to sign elsewhere if he’d like.
