Former Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie hits an all-time low during the 2024 offseason

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Daniel Lucente
August 21, 2024 (11:38)

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Unfortunately for former Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie, he still remains as a free agent and there is now talk that the only way he'll get a contract is via a PTO.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, an arch nemesis of the Toronto Maple Leafs, appear to be on a professional tryout (PTO) frenzy, as they have recently offered one to Logan Brown and rumor has it they are considering more, such as handing one to former Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie.

Tyson Barrie is 33-years-old and experts say he is the top defenseman of the group that remain as free agents. Barrie is from Victoria, BC, and is coming off a terrible year with the Nashville Predators. He played in only 41 games for the team where he scored just one goal and added 14 assists. The stat that stands out the most, but not in a good way, is his plus/minus rating, which sat at -10 last season, meaning he was on the ice for a lot of the opposition's goals. The 2009 third-round pick is hoping he can turn things around if he gets another chance with a different team.

Tyson Barrie has been known to be one of the better offensive defensemen in the game over his career. Just recently during the 2022-23 season, Barrie scored 13 goals and had 55 points in 85 games split between the Oilers and Predators. He's also had seven seasons in his career where he has been able to put up at least 40 points, and four seasons with at least 50. Tampa Bay already has a very offensive system, so adding Barrie could be exactly what he needs to boost his career to new heights again.

Being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019-20 season, Tyson Barrie played in 70 games with the team, but it was a season that many experts would refer to as an off year, as he only scored five goals and fell just shy of the 40-point mark, with 39. His plus/minus was not that great with the Leafs, as he finished the season with a -7 rating. He was not with the team after that season.

Being a right-sided defenseman, Tyson Barrie could potentially call Tampa home if the team feels it is a need they need to address, which many experts believe it is, but unfortunately for Barrie, it would likely come in the form of a PTO to start. That is definitely as close to rock bottom as it gets for the former Leaf.

Source: HockeyDB
Tyson Barrie Stats