RUMOR: Tysons Barrie Headed Back Home

Nashville Predators Defenseman Tyson Barrie, is currently surrounded by trade rumors, suggesting he might join a fifth team in his career. Barrie, playing his last year under the current contract with the Nashville Predators, is set to become an unrestricted free agent next July. This situation has fueled speculation about another potential move in his career.

Barrie's journey in the NHL has seen him move across several teams. He was traded to the Predators by the Edmonton Oilers at last year's trade deadline. Prior to that, he signed with the Oilers as a free agent after a stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His time in Canada started with a trade from the Colorado Avalanche in July 2019. Now, a third trade seems possible.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Predators have permitted Barrie and his agent to discuss a possible trade with other clubs. This follows Barrie's request for a trade after being a healthy scratch in a game against the New York Rangers. The Athletic's Joe Rexrode noted that Barrie has become somewhat expendable in Nashville, partly due to the promising performance of prospect Spencer Stastney.

Potential new teams for Barrie include the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, his former teams, as well as the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders, according to Michael Gallagher of Nashville Hockey Now. However, a return to Edmonton is complicated by the Oilers' limited cap space and their focus on enhancing their goaltending. Meanwhile, Barrie's previous tenure with the Maple Leafs in 2019-20 wasn't particularly successful, and Toronto seems more interested in a defensive-minded player like Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames.

Barrie could be an attractive option for teams like the Devils, who recently lost Dougie Hamilton to injury. With a record of seven 40-plus point seasons, including a 55-point performance split between the Oilers and Predators in 2022-23, Barrie offers a significant boost on defense. The question remains whether the Oilers or Maple Leafs will be among the interested parties.