Buffalo Sabres
Because the Sabres have phenom defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and another very good defenseman named Rasmus, Ristolainen, I hesitated to put them on this list.
However, at the time of writing, the Sabres had just dropped out of a playoff spot. They’re having trouble scoring, recording a -3 goal differential thus far. They’re #22 in the NHL for the power play with 16.8% conversion.
Buffalo is a bubble team, and one looking to solidify their own rebuild. However, they’ve been at it longer than Colorado. I’d think they’d appreciate an offensive defenseman like Barrie, especially since he can help take the pressure off Dahlin.
The Sabres have not one, not two, but three first-round picks thanks to dealing Evander Kane (to San Jose) and Ryan O’Reilly (to St. Louis). Plus, they’ve retained their own. So, they could potentially be inspired to put one of their picks in the pot for a sure-thing in Barrie.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Colorado pry goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the deal. And, while I’d love for Rasmus Ristolainen to come our way, we’d be more likely to acquire rental forward Jeff Skinner or veteran forward Vladimir Sobotka.
I like it. What do you think?
I don’t want to get rid of Tyson Barrie. Yes, just like the rest of Avs Nation, I rag on him on a pretty good basis. The joke this year is Barrie giveth (a power play goal), Barrie taketh away (with a give away).
This is a way for Barrie to really giveth — by yielding a solid return for the Colorado Avalanche. Plus, all the above are Eastern Conference teams, so we won’t have to face his offensive acumen but twice a year.