Colorado Avalanche Extend Tyson Barrie For Two-Years
By Andrew Dill
Mar 27, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie (4) after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche finished up the 2014 offseason by retaining a key piece to their team. Restricted free agent defenseman Tyson Barrie was extended Thursday afternoon to a two-year, $5.2 million deal.
Joe Sakic knew retaining Barrie was an important step for the team’s franchise as he noted after the team went into arbitration with forward Ryan O’Reilly.
"Tyson is a big part of the young nucleus of our team"
Barrie burst onto the scene last year becoming a hero last into games. However, just extending Barrie to a two-year deal still shows the Avs’ want to see a little more before signing him long-term or giving him the big bucks.
The 23-year-old was second among defenseman on the team in points behind Erik Johnson (39) with 38; although he did play in 16 fewer games. Barrie would go on to record 13 goals and 25 assists, not to mention five game-winning goals and four power-play goals. His impact on the power-play unit was second to none.
Barrie is on a bridge deal which takes a cap hit of roughly $2.6 million. If Barrie in fact progresses and his play exceeds what he did last season, the kid could be well on his way to earning more at the end of the bridge.
Whether it’s scoring goals, recording assists/points, or on the power-play, Barrie will be a key part of the team’s success in the coming years.