Former Edmonton Oilers defenseman announces retirement from NHL

Former Edmonton Oilers defenseman and NHL veteran, Tyson Barrie, announced his retirement on Monday. The 34 year old last played 13 games with the Calgary Flames, amassing one goal and two assists.

Over the course of his entire 14 year career, Barrie played for five different teams; The Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, as well as the aforementioned stops with the Flames and Oilers.

He tallied an impressive 508 points (110 goals, 398 assists) in only 822 regular season games. In the playoffs, he scored two goals and 19 assists for 21 points in 47 games (hockey-reference.com).

At the height of his career, Barrie was a high end offensive defenseman providing exceptional value on the power play, most famously with the Avalanche. He set career highs with the team in 2018-19, scoring 14 goals and 45 assists for 59 points in 78 games.

Unfortunately, a trade to the hockey hotbed of the Maple Leafs for fan-favorite Nazem Kadri dealt damage to his reputation. Barrie was dealt along with Avs teammate Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 Sixth round pick to Toronto for Kadri, Calle Rosen and a 2020 Third round pick.

Barrie's later years

After being traded away from the Avalanche, Barrie struggled to hit the same heights he had and not just because of the altitude changes. He scored five goals and 34 assists for 39 points in 70 games in his lone season as a Maple Leaf and was allowed to walk as an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

It was there that he hit somewhat of a revival with the Oilers, amassing 48 points (eight goals, 40 assists) in only 56 games. The following year however, say his numbers dip back down scoring 41 points (seven goals, 34 assists) in 73 games.

In his third and final season as an Oiler, Barrie would find himself once again used as a trade chip as he was sent along with prospect Reid Schaefer and a 2023 First round pick and a Fourth in 2024 to the Predators for Mattias Ekholm and a 2024 Sixth.

Although this was the end of his time as an Oiler, his contributions on the ice and being used to acquire arguably the club's second best defenseman were very well appreciated by the fanbase. He was a solid powerplay quarterback (QB) and produced at a good rate.

To end his career he would hit some injury snags with the Predators holding him to only 41 games with the club in 2023-24. As well he found himself as a healthy scratch with the Flames, being sent up and down to the American Hockey League (AHL), passing through waivers last season.

It is not the end to his career he or anyone would have wanted and should not be the way he is remembered. Throughout his career, he was an offensive defenseman who was able to quarterback a power play with some of the best defenders in the league and drive offense. He may not have been a Norris candidate but he has paved way for players like Erik Gustafsson to be legitimate NHL contributors despite their sheltered usage.