Although it seems unlikely that Tyson Barrie will be part of the Calgary Flames’ opening night roster, having a contract is definitely better than being without one. Barrie is ready to wait his turn. The experienced defenseman signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million US with the Flames on Thursday, following a training camp stint under a professional tryout agreement. At 33, he now figures into the Flames’ long-term plans, bringing more NHL experience than any other defenseman on the team and an offensive skill set that should enhance the power play when needed.
“What I’ve always done in my career is be a positive influence in the locker room, and when the opportunity arises, I jump in to make a difference,” Barrie said when asked about his potential contributions to the Flames this season. “My goal now is to re-establish myself as a full-time NHL player and to be a strong one at that. I just need to be patient and wait for my chance to make an impact.” That opportunity will come, without a doubt, but for now, the Flames appear to have finalized three defensive pairings as the season begins. Rasmus Andersson will pair with Kevin Bahl, who is set to play his first game alongside him in Friday night’s preseason matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. Bahl missed the initial days of training camp after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils this summer, but the Flames are confident he can handle significant minutes.
Daniil Miromanov and MacKenzie Weegar will work to build on the chemistry they began developing last year after Miromanov joined the Flames in the trade that sent Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights. That leaves the third pairing still to be determined.
For Friday’s preseason game, Jake Bean and Brayden Pachal were set to be the pairing, with Pachal having an outstanding training camp and providing a more physical presence on defense. Excluding the potential for injuries that might require Barrie to step in for someone, that third pairing is likely where he would seek playing time. However, he is expected to receive some power-play time regardless of his lineup position. Barrie, a right-handed shooter, has accumulated 109 goals and 396 assists in 809 NHL games, ranking 10th among active NHL defensemen. It’s easy to see how the Flames could benefit from his skills. “We’re certainly pleased that we came to an agreement on the contract,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “We all know what Tyson brings to the table. He’s currently motivated and feels he has much to prove.
His offensive abilities are definitely a strength, providing us with another option on the power play. We’re thrilled to have him.” However, one criticism of Barrie’s career has been his defensive play. He has a career minus-76 rating, including a minus-10 last season. If he aims to stay in the lineup and receive significant minutes, he will need to demonstrate he can be trusted defensively. “We need all our defensemen to be accountable,” Huska pointed out. “We recognize his skill set, but if he can’t help prevent goals, it can make it challenging to keep him in the lineup.” “He has a wealth of NHL experience for a reason.
He can hold his own defensively, and he is eager to be relied upon in more than just offensive situations.” Barrie is aware of the criticism regarding his defensive play and is determined to prove the skeptics wrong. It has been a difficult summer waiting for a contract offer, and after showing his worth in Flames camp, he’s eager to demonstrate he still has what it takes to compete in the NHL.
He is always ready to seize any opportunity that comes his way. “It’s a fresh perspective; I intend to play this game for as long as possible,” Barrie said. “I’ll keep showing up until they close the doors. It’s a fantastic game, and I really enjoy being around the rink. “The thought of not traveling with the guys, having dinner the night before games, and sharing a glass of red wine really hurt.” **WAIVER WIRE** On Friday morning, the Flames assigned Walker Duehr, Dryden Hunt, and Jarred Tinordi to the Calgary Wranglers.
All three had cleared waivers on Thursday and will now report to the Wranglers for AHL duties. Blake Coleman was the only anticipated regular absent from Friday’s game, as the team wanted to take a closer look at other players, utilizing his veteran status.
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