Trade talk around Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tyson Barrie has picked up of late.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada‘s “Headlines” segment that teams around the NHL have contacted Toronto about him.
“He (Barrie) has not asked for a trade, however, I think there is an understanding that so far it hasn’t worked,” Friedman said.
Barrie was acquired by the Maple Leafs on July 1 along with forward Alexander Kerfoot from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Nazem Kadri.
The 28-year-old Barrie is in the final year of a four-year contract signed with the Avalanche in 2016 and will become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
Friedman reported that Toronto has rejected the idea so far of trading him.
“I do think there’s a recognition that this can’t continue for him,” Friedman said.
Barrie has a salary cap hit of $5.5 million this season, although the Avalanche are retaining half of that.
He has five assists through 21 games this season and is a minus-six. Barrie had scored 14 goals in each of his last two seasons in Colorado.
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