Tyson Barrie and COL sign a four-year deal with a $5.5M AAV

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 31, 2016

Tyson Barrie and COL sign a four-year deal with a $5.5M AAV

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 31, 2016

- DDM-Coga

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 8m8 minutes ago
- Mikhail Grigorenko is bolting for the KHL and Nikita Zadorov has been traded back to the Buffalo Sabres for Matt Moulson and a 7th round pick in 2018

Tyson Barrie and COL sign a four-year deal with a $5.5M AAV

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 31, 2016

- DDM-Coga

Is he better than Mike Green in his prime?

Nice article, Between the 2 obviously the Sabres are much closer. I think i all boils down to is Lehner goign to be healthy and how well will he play. Thats the one deal that I think TM reputation is at stake as we all saw the goalies who were dealt at that draft. Jones already has the upper hand in that draft day deal as they have already reached a cup granted he was on a much better team. Id like to see another high end D man come in at some point.

I agree with stripes no need to rush Nylander at all. We have some youth still we can develop and be worth a great amount come deadline if we are in position to be buyers.

Is he better than Mike Green in his prime?
- rmiethaner

not sure, but good cap hit and I didn't want them to go more than 4-5 years with him. Best of both worlds for me.

Now it just shuts up all the hot takes out there that Avs are stupid and the was another ROR situation, they can't sign their own talent etc etc.

Especially from the Fancy Stats crowd, they have to eat some crow since they deal is done (some where claiming that the have sources that the Avs don't want to pay him over 5m, which were just them flapping their lips for attention online)

not sure, but good cap hit and I didn't want them to go more than 4-5 years with him. Best of both worlds for me.

Now it just shuts up all the hot takes out there that Avs are stupid and the was another ROR situation, they can't sign their own talent etc etc.

Especially from the Fancy Stats crowd, they have to eat some crow since they deal is done (some where claiming that the have sources that the Avs don't want to pay him over 5m, which were just them flapping their lips for attention online)
- DDM-Coga

Yeah, it seems like a good contract. Term is good.

For a team to jump from bottom feeder in back to back years to being a consistent playoff team 2 years later that's impressive.

The dramatic runs to 9th were results of the team making a few moves to try to make the playoffs short term but not make them better long term.

The Sabres did the right thing by bottoming out. However now is not the time to be trading away assets for players with one year left on their deal to just get them over the hump. I would rather a 9th place team this season without giving up any young players, let those players develop, and become a consistent playoff team that way.

Case in point. Do not rush Nylander. If he isn't ready send him to the AHL.

Also there was rumors of Fasching's name being in play. I wouldn't pull the trigger just yet unless it's for a player that fits into the long term plan.

There is a lot to like about the Sabre's lineup going into the season. There is also a lot of question marks.

I think Vesey could be an impact player, he would be a huge signing here, I just don't think it's going to happen.

Patience at this point is basically what I am saying.
- Stripes77

I think Vesey does sign here and here's why:

The comfort of playing with eichel, a guy he's played with for two summers and a world championship. He also could live with eichel and Sam. All this talk of if it was Buffalo he'd have signed already is b.s. he's just keeping to his word and checking out all options:

Bos - a lot of pressure, a team on the downtrend and his father told him tonstay away

Chi - not on East coast and won't be able to afford his 2nd contract

TOR - a lot of pressure, behind the Sabres in their rebuild and Cad taxes are high. Plus uncle Lou doesn't like bonuses on ELC

NYR - on the downturn and not the quality of Center

NYI/NJ - obvious

PIT - my farmhouse and all seems to quiet with them. Not exactly east coast though and they're always up right against the cap

Yeah, it seems like a good contract. Term is good.
- rmiethaner

now they have 1.5m in cap space to go after 1 more depth signing for the bottom 6. Pirri...Gabriel Bourque, etc.

Avs are set up decent this season, then get a almost 10m comping off the books in Mitchell, Iginla, and Stuart next season with all their young core locked up. They set this offseason up nicely

I think Vesey does sign here and here's why:

The comfort of playing with eichel, a guy he's played with for two summers and a world championship. He also could live with eichel and Sam. All this talk of if it was Buffalo he'd have signed already is b.s. he's just keeping to his word and checking out all options:

Bos - a lot of pressure, a team on the downtrend and his father told him tonstay away

Chi - not on East coast and won't be able to afford his 2nd contract

TOR - a lot of pressure, behind the Sabres in their rebuild and Cad taxes are high. Plus uncle Lou doesn't like bonuses on ELC

NYR - on the downturn and not the quality of Center

NYI/NJ - obvious

PIT - my farmhouse and all seems to quiet with them. Not exactly east coast though and they're always up right against the cap
- turbo044

I admire your enthusiasm but since this is Buffalo I have prepared myself for a let down. Also as I have stated the Eichel connection is getting blown out of proportion IMO. I do agree with the bolded though.

I think Chicago and Pittsburgh are in the lead. Who wouldn't want to play with Toews or Crosby/Malkin?

I think those two are 1A and 1B. However the not being able to afford his second contract is something to look at.

Then it's a 3 team race with Buffalo, Boston and Toronto. I feel comfortable saying if he chooses Boston he will end up not playing to potential because I look at Boston's roster and there isn't much help up front to help him pad his stats.

Between Toronto and Buffalo I think he would pick Buffalo. Cheaper taxes and playing with Eichel. However that still doesn't mean I am confident he signs here.

now they have 1.5m in cap space to go after 1 more depth signing for the bottom 6. Pirri...Gabriel Bourque, etc.

Avs are set up decent this season, then get a almost 10m comping off the books in Mitchell, Iginla, and Stuart next season with all their young core locked up. They set this offseason up nicely
- DDM-Coga

5.5mil seems like such an obvious number for Barrie
Makes me think this deal should've been done a while ago

Although, to be fair, I've been saying the same thing about Ristolainen and why we haven't gotten him signed yet also

5.5mil seems like such an obvious number for Barrie
Makes me think this deal should've been done a while ago

Although, to be fair, I've been saying the same thing about Ristolainen and why we haven't gotten him signed yet also
- jdfitz77

apparently the Avs offered him a longer contract with a higher cap hit than this a month ago. Seems like his agent wanted to squeeze the Avs as much as he could to use Arbitration as leverage.

With the fact he settled like this, chances are that the arbitration wouldnt have ruled in his favour. They bought 1 year of his UFA in this deal, so seems like arb was moving towards ruling in avs favour.

I admire your enthusiasm but since this is Buffalo I have prepared myself for a let down. Also as I have stated the Eichel connection is getting blown out of proportion IMO. I do agree with the bolded though.

I think Chicago and Pittsburgh are in the lead. Who wouldn't want to play with Toews or Crosby/Malkin?

I think those two are 1A and 1B. However the not being able to afford his second contract is something to look at.

Then it's a 3 team race with Buffalo, Boston and Toronto. I feel comfortable saying if he chooses Boston he will end up not playing to potential because I look at Boston's roster and there isn't much help up front to help him pad his stats.

Between Toronto and Buffalo I think he would pick Buffalo. Cheaper taxes and playing with Eichel. However that still doesn't mean I am confident he signs here.
- Stripes77

Eh, if Vesey wanted to play on a good team, he would have stayed in NSH.

It's Boston or Buffalo IMO. Always has been

Eh, if Vesey wanted to play on a good team, he would have stayed in NSH.

It's Boston or Buffalo IMO. Always has been
- sbroads24

Nashville doesn't have a Toews, a Crosby, or a Malkin type center. You're talking about three of the top 5 centers in the world.

Nashville doesn't have a Toews, a Crosby, or a Malkin type center. You're talking about three of the top 5 centers in the world.
- Stripes77

Agreed, but I don't think his mentality was to hold out in case one of them could fit him in their top 6.

I think his plan all along was to play in Boston, and that's changed slightly with Buffalo and Eichel pursuing him, and Boston being totally clueless

Nashville doesn't have a Toews, a Crosby, or a Malkin type center. You're talking about three of the top 5 centers in the world.
- Stripes77

Chicago could handle his salary for a few years. Panarin is the only big raise coming up from what i see.

Eh, if Vesey wanted to play on a good team, he would have stayed in NSH.

It's Boston or Buffalo IMO. Always has been
- sbroads24

Some whispering that Toronto is, for now anyway, back in lead for Vesey sweepstakes. Should be interesting

— Adrian Dater (@adater) July 31, 2016

The man who likes the stir the pot is back

Agreed, but I don't think his mentality was to hold out in case one of them could fit him in their top 6.

I think his plan all along was to play in Boston, and that's changed slightly with Buffalo and Eichel pursuing him, and Boston being totally clueless
- sbroads24

Trying to think back to how'd I'd feel as a 24 yr old. Thinking I'd really like to located with people I'm familiar with. Chicago's great, as is pit, we all know that, bit Eichel's no slouch and will only get better. I would be torn about my hometown team, but if I want to win, I really can't sign in Boston

Some whispering that Toronto is, for now anyway, back in lead for Vesey sweepstakes. Should be interesting

— Adrian Dater (@adater) July 31, 2016

The man who likes the stir the pot is back
- DDM-Coga

So...they're out of it is what you're saying?

Eh, if Vesey wanted to play on a good team, he would have stayed in NSH.

It's Boston or Buffalo IMO. Always has been
- sbroads24

Id buy that. I wonder if theres a plan B if he doesnt sign here or if theyll just go with what they've got.

Trying to think back to how'd I'd feel as a 24 yr old. Thinking I'd really like to located with people I'm familiar with. Chicago's great, as is pit, we all know that, bit Eichel's no slouch and will only get better. I would be torn about my hometown team, but if I want to win, I really can't sign in Boston
- turbo044

I guess my point is that he probably didn't hold out specifically for Pittsburgh or Chicago. So I wouldn't put them 1 or 1a. Not that he couldn't pick them. But neither team has guaranteed him playing time with Crosby or Toews anyways. Don't you think they'd actually have to run it by Crosby or Toews ?

Id buy that. I wonder if theres a plan B if he doesnt sign here or if theyll just go with what they've got.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm hoping. This roster isn't good enough yet

Eh, if Vesey wanted to play on a good team, he would have stayed in NSH.

It's Boston or Buffalo IMO. Always has been
- sbroads24

Idk about that

You don't think there's a BIG difference between Chicago/Pitt & the Preds?

hey Fatmarsh

I am heading to Calgary tomorrow to watch the Hip play. Where's a good place near the Saddledome for a beer and burger before the concert?

I guess my point is that he probably didn't hold out specifically for Pittsburgh or Chicago. So I wouldn't put them 1 or 1a. Not that he couldn't pick them. But neither team has guaranteed him playing time with Crosby or Toews anyways. Don't you think they'd actually have to run it by Crosby or Toews ?
- sbroads24

If Crosby & Malkin agreed to play with the guys they did in the playoffs...
And won the whole thing...
I can't imagine them saying no to Vesey

Maybe that's not the case in Chicago
But Kane did agree to play with Panarin last year, who was unproven at the time. And Toews had had linemates cycle in & out the last few seasons...
Reasonable to think they'd have an open mind as well

Idk about that

You don't think there's a BIG difference between Chicago/Pitt & the Preds?
- jdfitz77

Preds are hands down better than the Hawks today