Report: Tyson Barrie poised to attend Flames training camp on PTO

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Tyson Barrie, a proven defenceman and a potential power-play quarterback, will reportedly be attending Calgary Flames training camp on a professional tryout offer.

Ace insider Frank Seravalli revealed Tuesday on Sportsnet 960 The Fan that the 33-year-old Barrie is poised to accept an invite to audition for the Flames. He is currently an unrestricted free agent.

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If Barrie earns a contract with the club, he would bring plenty of experience and leadership. His NHL stat-sheet shows 109 goals and 396 assists in 809 regular-season outings. Throughout his career, he’s averaged more than 21 minutes per night, and he has a reputation as a popular teammate.

It’s worth noting that Barrie, who hails originally from Victoria, B.C., played his junior hockey in Kelowna, where he was coached by current Flames bench boss Ryan Huska. It should also be noted he’s posted nearly 42% of his NHL points on the man-advantage, which likely ups the appeal for the staff at the Saddledome. Their power-play struggled mightily last season.

Barrie will be looking to bounce back after managing only one goal and 15 points in 41 appearances with the Nashville Predators during the 2023-24 campaign. According to the data at Natural Stat Trick, the Preds were out-shot and out-chanced when he was on the ice, which explains why he was sometimes a healthy scratch.

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 197 lb., Barrie has previously suited up for the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers.

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The Flames already have four right-handers on their blue-line in Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, Daniil Miromanov and Brayden Pachal. Thing is, Andersson and Weegar are their best options for top-pairing duties, so Barrie could potentially partner with Kevin Bahl or Jake Bean on the second duo, leaving Miromanov and Pachal to push for spots in the nightly lineup. (Barrie’s camp invite certainly puts some pressure on Miromanov, 27, to leave no doubt that he’s ready for a regular role. He flashed plenty of potential in 20 games with the Flames after arriving in early March in a swap with the Vegas Golden Knights.)

It’s been speculated that Barrie might be willing to accept a one-year contract at the league-minimum salary. In that case, the Flames could also view him as a possible trade-chip as the deadline nears. If Barries proves he can still contribute, he could ultimately be flipped for a prospect or a pick.

Training camp opens later this month at the Saddledome. Barrie, on a PTO, is still eligible to sign with other clubs as long as he remains a free agent. There have been rumblings that the Oilers — with holes to fill on defence after Philip Broberg was offer-sheeted by the St. Louis Blues and Cody Ceci was traded to the San Jose Sharks — might be interested in a reunion with Barrie, who played parts of three seasons in Edmonton from 2020-23.

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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