Islanders: Keeping up on NHL Trade Rumors – Tyson Barrie on the Block

Tyson Barrie

Why is he available?

If there’s a team that needs a shake-up its the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs haven’t won in regulation since November 5. They’ve gone into a full tailspin losing their last five games and being outscored 24-13 in the process.

Making things worse is their big offseason acquisition, defenseman Tyson Barrie isn’t happy. Leading some to speculate that it won’t be long before Barrie finds himself a new team.

With seven points in 23 games, Barrie is on pace for 25 points this season. That would be his lowest return since 2012-13 when he scored 13 points in 32 games. It just isn’t going well for him.

The fact that he’s averaging about two fewer minutes on the power play per game, might not be helping. Over the last two seasons, Barrie has nine goals and 46 helpers on the power play. Babcock might want to put Barrie out there on the power play. Just a thought.

Islanders Interest Level: 0/5

The Islanders are set on the right side of the blue line. With Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, Johnny Boychuk, and Noah Dobson they don’t need another name out there.

Although, Barrie is certainly a good player. But is he better than what the Islanders have? And does he fit? Say for argument’s sake the Isles move Mayfield to make space for Barrie. Does a Toews-Barrie pairing work? Not in Barry Trotz’s defense-first model.

For now, the interest level has to be zero, but you could talk me up to one based purely on how good Barrie has been in the past.