Calgary Flames sign Tyson Barrie to professional tryout agreement
Tyson Barrie will be joining the Calgary Flames on a professional tryout agreement.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli initially reported the news last week.
Barrie, 33, will look to impress throughout training camp and earn a contract for the 2024-25 season with the re-tooling Flames. The offensive defenseman appeared in 41 games with the Nashville Predators last season, in which he scored once and ended his season with 15 points. It was a notably down year for the right-handed blueliner after he recorded 13 goals and 55 points in 2022-23, split between the Edmonton Oilers and Predators.
Originally a 2009 third-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche, Barrie made his NHL debut in 2011-12 and spent parts of eight seasons in Colorado. He would eventually be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 2019-20 season before signing a free-agent contract with the Oilers following just one season with the Maple Leafs.
Looking back at last season in Nashville, Barrie went through an up-and-down campaign and his frustration became public. Barrie was not happy with the amount of playing time he was receiving which included being taken off the Predators’ top power-play unit and eventually made a healthy scratch. “Well, if we’re getting into it,” Barrie said. “I’m in the stands so it doesn’t really feel like a great fit. My goal is to be playing hockey. Whether that’s here or elsewhere is up for the powers that be to decide.”
Despite the public spat with GM Barry Trotz, Barrie wasn’t dealt prior to the 2023-24 trade deadline. Following the frustrating regular season, Barrie would dress in just one Stanley Cup Playoff game with the Predators during their first-round series.
Barrie now joins the Flames, who could lean on his experience and offensive capabilities. Calgary has a few jobs up for grabs on their blueline as Flames’ GM Craig Conroy has been busy turning over his roster. Conroy has close to $20 million in cap space to work with heading into this season.