NHL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Tyson Barrie Trade, Kris Russell and More

With the bulk of free agents signed and major trades likely completed this summer, much of the attention for teams still in the market to improve now revolves around defensemen. 

And one player in the thick of everything is Colorado Avalanche blueliner Tyson Barrie. 

The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly interested in Barrie, with David Staples of the Edmonton Journal reporting, "Until Avs defenceman Barrie and Avs hockey boss Patrick Roy both declare all is well between them, it’s evident that Edmonton will continue to seek a trade for Barrie."

Barrie, 24, is a puck-moving defenseman who scored 13 goals and added 36 assists last season for the Avs. 

For that reason, he won't come cheap. But rumors circulating around Barrie are nothing new, as Kevin Allen of USA Today wrote:

"

Trade rumors have circled around this team for two months, and the player that seems the most logical to move is puck-moving defenseman Tyson Barrie, a restricted free agent who has filed for salary arbitration. He might be a good fit in Edmonton or even Boston. The Avs have added Fedor Tyutin and Patrick Wiercioch to their defense this summer.

"

And that brings us to the Boston Bruins.

As Allen noted, "Since the offseason began, the Bruins have been rumored to be in the hunt for a defenseman. If the Bruins want to make the playoffs, they have to stabilize their defensive corps."

That has left Barrie as one player potentially on the team's shortlist, according to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE:

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With Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and David Backes all signed to big contracts, perhaps the Bruins explore dealing Krejci for another one of the available transition D-man on the market. Anaheim’s Cam Fowler comes to mind immediately, and Colorado’s Tyson Barrie is another player that could certainly help the Black and Gold if they’re looking to trade up for a high-caliber, top-four puck-moving type.

"

Fowler, 24, has been a constant source of rumors this summer as well after he notched five goals and 23 assists this past season. The buzz surrounding him has died down a bit since he wasn't dealt after the NHL draft, but that's no guarantee he won't be moved if a team like the Bruins brings a big offer to the table.

But the Bruins may look to upgrade the position without trading anyone at all. Haggerty also noted, "The Bruins are kicking the tires on 29-year-old free-agent defenseman Kris Russell as they continue to look for offseason solutions on the blue line, according to a league source."

And the Bruins aren't alone in that potential pursuit. According to Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel, the Panthers are also interested in signing Russell. 

The 29-year-old notched four goals and 15 assists last season, and while he's not on the level of Barrie or Fowler, he also wouldn't require a package of talented players to acquire. He's the top defenseman remaining in free agency and could instill a small bidding war in this second wave of free agency.

However, his market may not settle until Barrie and Fowler are either traded or the Avs and Ducks, respectively, make it known they aren't interested in fielding offers for the players. For teams still poking around about those options, Russell may yet be something of a backup plan. He's older than Barrie and Fowler and simply isn't as dynamic a player. 

And because there is a major market remaining for defensemen, he'll probably be signed for much more than he's worth. In other words, for teams looking to bolster their blue lines before next season, the price will be high no matter what. 

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