Tyson Barrie’s Role with the Calgary Flames in the 2024 Season

Tyson Barrie, a veteran defenseman, has joined the Calgary Flames on a professional tryout agreement and is now integrated into the team’s plans for the upcoming NHL season. Despite his experience and offensive skills, Barrie is unlikely to be part of the opening night lineup, but he remains optimistic about making his mark during the season.

Barrie, aged 33, brings extensive NHL experience to the Flames, offering more than any other defenseman currently on the roster. Known for his offensive prowess, particularly in power-play situations, head coach Ryan Huska expressed excitement about Barrie’s potential contributions. “He is motivated right now and feels like he has a lot to prove,” Huska stated. “His strength is the offensive side of the game, for sure.”

The Flames have set their initial defensive pairings, with Barrie likely starting as the seventh defenseman. Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl are paired to kick off the season, bolstered by Bahl’s acquisition from the New Jersey Devils. Daniil Miromanov and MacKenzie Weegar aim to continue building chemistry from the previous year. The third pairing for a recent pre-season game included Jake Bean and Brayden Pachal, both making strong impressions during training camp.

Concerns about Barrie’s defensive reliability persist, given his career minus-76 rating, including minus-10 last season. “We need all our defensemen to be responsible,” Huska remarked, addressing Barrie’s defensive critiques. “If you can’t help keep the puck out of the net, it makes it tough to get you in the lineup at times.”

Barrie is aware of the criticisms surrounding his defensive play and is determined to prove skeptics wrong. “I’m going to try to play this game as long as I can,” Barrie said, reflecting on his love for the sport and the camaraderie among teammates.

In related team moves, the Flames have assigned Walker Duehr, Dryden Hunt, and Jarred Tinordi to the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL, following their clearance from waivers. Blake Coleman was rested during the final pre-season game, allowing opportunities for other players to make an impression.

In their last pre-season matchup, the Flames were defeated 3-2 by the Winnipeg Jets. The game witnessed notable performances from players such as Kyle Connor, who secured the game-winner for the Jets, and Jonathan Huberdeau and Mikael Backlund, scoring for the Flames. The Flames concluded the pre-season with a 5-2-1 record.