On the Colorado Avalanche and Tyson Barrie …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1260 on Colorado Avalanche RFA defenseman Tyson Barrie.
“There’s no question in my mind, I think Tyson Barrie is going to be traded.”
Really?
“Yeah. Here’s what I think. This is not going to make any sense, but I’m going to say it anyways. Colorado is looking for a defenseman. But I don’t think they like the economic leverage that Tyson Barrie has right now. Tyson Barrie has got a very strong arbitration case. I think he’s going to be looking for a sum of money that Colorado doesn’t feel comfortable in giving him. Therefore I think they’re looking for somebody who – looking for a different type of defenseman maybe, or one that’s not going to cost them as much money.”
McKenzie notes that Barrie is just the type of defenseman the Edmonton Oilers would be interested in.
On the Anaheim Ducks and Sami Vatanen …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1260 on the Anaheim Ducks and RFA Sami Vatanen.
“The situation in Anaheim is unique too. You’ve got Hampus Lindholm and you’ve got Sami Vatanen. They’re both really good young restricted free agents. That’s a financial situation as well, driving that one. It may be that Bob Murray and the Anaheim Ducks simply can’t afford to have both of those guys on their team. Well then, you better move one.”
McKenzie notes that the Ducks are a budget team, so if they were to move a defenseman, the money they would take back in trade would come into play.
On the St. Louis Blues and Kevin Shattenkirk …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1260 on if the Blues GM Doug Armstrong’s comments about defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
“What he was basically saying was, ‘Hey, if they go to unrestricted free agency in a year, he’s going to probably want a lot of money, and we may not be in a position to give it to him.’
“And don’t go any further than that because he may well be in their lineup to start next season. But he may also be a guy who, under the right circumstances, would get moved. And you’re right, their priority is to get Jaden Schwartz done, and then see what happens with their unrestricted free agents, including Backes and Brouwer, the two high-profile guys. So we’ll see where that goes.”
McKenzie doesn’t think Shattenkirk is as likely to move as Barrie. He could be traded, but he could also start next year with the Blues.