Colorado Avalanche Could Trade Tyson Barrie to the New Jersey Devils

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The Colorado Avalanche could improve their team by trading defenseman Tyson Barrie to the New Jersey Devils for one of their young centers.

In the Colorado Avalanche offseason, one of the ways we entertain ourselves is by discussing trade possibilities. Center Matt Duchene is the favored trade bait, but conversations often turn to defenseman Tyson Barrie.

The rationale for trading Barrie is somewhat obvious — he’s one of our few prized possessions, meaning he has actual trade value. Indeed, a lot of teams have expressed interest in our young rover.

Recently Pucks and Pitchforks mentioned wanting Tyson Barrie for the New Jersey Devils. When I asked what they wanted for a “young, speedy, clutch, puck-moving defenseman,” they came up with the following:

We have McLeod who's a stud and Zacha who's a top ten pick both NHL ready and both under 21. No you can't have both lol
— Pucks and Pitchforks (@pitchforkedpuck) July 7, 2017

So, let’s look at what Tyson Barrie brings to the table then consider the two young centers Pucks and Pitchforks mentioned.

Pros and Cons of Tyson Barrie’s Game

It’s true Colorado needs help on defense. However, it’s not like Barrie provides a lot of that. He can be a good puck mover, and he’s been known to be positionally sound, but defense is the first part of his game to disappear.

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No, Tyson Barrie’s great contribution to the team is his offense. Last season he led all defensemen and was fourth on the whole team for scoring with 38 points.

In four full seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, Barrie has twice reached 38 points, recorded 49 points, and had a 53-point season. Three times he’s scored over 10 goals.

As I noted above, Barrie is a strong skater, as shown by his roving ways. Not only can he score, he’s known to do so under pressure. If you’re down by one or two goals late in the third period, you want Tyson Barrie on the ice. He’s also the coveted right-hand defenseman.

Besides defense leaving his game, Barrie is undersized for an NHL defenseman at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. It’s true he takes a hit like a champ, but it’s easy to overpower Barrie.

Nonetheless, Tyson Barrie is the new style of NHL defenseman — smallish, but speedy and able to move the puck. So, NHL teams want him. Let’s see what the New Jersey Devils might have on offer.

Pavel Zacha

Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 210
Experience: 2 years (70 games)

The New Jersey Devils drafted center Pavel Zacha with the sixth-overall selection in 2015. Though I’m delighted with our pick, Mikko Rantanen, I wanted Zacha for the team at the time.

In his draft year, Chris Edwards from NHL Central Scouting described Zacha thus:

“He’s got high-end skill and is an excellent competitor. He plays an excellent two-way game. He’s physical and solid on his skates and can separate guys from the puck.”

His high-end offensive skill combined with his size and physicality is why I wanted Zacha for the Colorado Avalanche.

Two years on, Pavel Zacha has two years and 70 games under his belt. He hasn’t been a prolific scorer, recording eight goals and 16 assists for a total of 24 points. However, New Jersey hasn’t fully utilized him.

Right now the Hockey News is describing Zacha as a “naturally gifted offensive forward” who’s versatile to play center or wing. Indeed, the Hockey News posits that Zacha might not have the playmaking abilities to be a top-six center, so he might be better off as a winger.

That actually suits the Colorado Avalanche situation just fine. They already have a one-two punch with Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene with center prospects in Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher.

While the Avs don’t favor big forwards as they once did, I doubt they’d be disappointed in Zacha’s bulk. It doesn’t slow him down, and it does allow him to play with something of a nasty streak — always helpful in the Central Division.

While Zacha isn’t anywhere near his potential, I don’t think he’s put up enough for Colorado to consider a one-for-one trade. I expect they’d want a draft pick or a prospect — or both. The New Jersey Devils stole our first-overall this year — they can give both for Tyson Barrie and, say, a later round pick.

So, here’s the trade:

Cheeky, I know. But I’m still steamed the Devils got that first-overall. I’m betting Avalanche GM Joe Sakic is, too.

Michael McLeod

Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 194
Experience: OHL

Michael McLeod carries a higher risk for the Colorado Avalanche. Though he’s signed to an entry-level contract, he hasn’t even played in the AHL yet. He’s the captain of his OHL team, the Mississauga Steelheads. The Devils selected him #12 in the 2016 NHL Draft.

That said, he’s more up the Colorado Avalanche’s alley than Pavel Zacha in that he’s known for being speedy. Really speedy. He plays a very dynamic game.

Here’s how McKeens Hockey describes McLeod:

“The intangibles he brings in addition to his terrific speed make him a can’t miss prospect. He is going to be a top two center with size, speed, grit, faceoff prowess, penalty killing abilities ..what is there not to like? He may never lead the league in scoring… but neither will Jonathan Toews. This kid is a winner.”

That two-way game combined with the speed is what makes him ideal for the Avalanche. He’ll take more development time, but it could really pay off in the long run.

I’d say swapping out McLeod for Zacha in the above proposal is probably a more realistic scenario:

Additionally, I’d say for a trade with the New Jersey Devils to work, the Colorado Avalanche would have to get a pretty good defensive prospect back. The Devils have some decent ones such as Colton White, Steven Santini and Yaroslav Dyblenko.

None of those players is going to replace Barrie’s offensive production, but the hope would be that either Zacha or McLeod would. The d-man would do what he supposed to — suppress shots and decrease opponent scoring chances.

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What’s more, next season is supposed to be a good draft year. Having two first-rounders would be a big boon to the Colorado Avalanche.

So, all in all, trading Tyson Barrie to the New Jersey Devils could improve the Avs.

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