The flurry of trades involving Mattias Ekholm, Nino Niederreiter, Tanner Jeannot, and a plethora of new draft picks may be overshadowing an important roster addition in Tyson Barrie.

After what will go down as a franchise defining trade deadline for the Nashville Predators, a Predators "reset" is starting to take shape. With players like Niederreiter, Jeannot, Ekholm, and Mikael Granlund gone and a windfall of draft picks, it's clear the next chapter in the franchise is underway. While most of Nashville is focused on the youth the team will "reset" around - Cody Glass, Juuso Pärssinen, Luke Evangelista, and Yaroslav Askarov in Milwaukee - a veteran player could prove to be just as valuable to the Predators down the stretch.

After three seasons in Edmonton, 31 year old defenseman Tyson Barrie found himself headed to Nashville. General Manager David Poile traded Mattias Ekholm and a 2024 sixth round draft pick while retaining 4% of Ekholm's salary through the remainder of his contract in exchange for a first round pick in 2023, a fourth round pick in 2024, young prospect Reid Schaefer, and Barrie. 

[gallery ids="2647,2648,2649"]

Acquiring Barrie was initially overshadowed by the confirmation that the Predators were finally taking a new direction. The announcement that David Poile would be retiring after the draft and former Predators head coach Barry Trotz would take his place just days before the Ekholm deal was finalized signaled a new era in Nashville hockey. The transition to a new general manager made it the right time to reset a Predators roster that had stalled in the first round of the playoffs since making the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. The philosophical shift and fresh approach to the future that many in Nashville pined for became the focus of the fan base. 

Add to that, the Predators were parting ways with a 2009 draft pick who had developed in Nashville's system and was a leader on the ice and in the locker room for the franchise. Trading Niederreiter and Jeannot days earlier indicated a change was coming, but trading Mattias Ekholm confirmed how dramatic that change was going to be. Of course the return mattered, but the move alone took time to digest in Nashville. 

The trade return outside of Barrie drew much attention. Nashville received five draft picks and defenseman Cal Foote in the Tanner Jeannot trade with Tampa Bay. Getting a first round pick in the upcoming draft and a fourth rounder in 2024 added to an impressive stockpile of draft capital Poile was collecting. With a clear pivot towards a youth movement, Edmonton's 2022 first round pick Reid Schaefer garnered much discussion as well. 

There was also speculation that Poile might use Barrie as part of a deal before the deadline expired. Conversation around the defenseman was more about trade value than the value he could bring to the Predators on the ice. 

In his first three games with the Predators Barrie is looking like an interesting addition to the blue line. While he may not be as statistically strong defensively as Ekholm, he brings an offensive boost to a Predators blue line that could use some punch. Besides Roman Josi, one of the best two way players in the league who leads the Predators in points, Jeremey Lauzon has the second most goals for a D man with three on the season. Barrie scored 10 goals and 33 assists in Edmonton before coming to Nashville and recording a goal and an assist in his first three outings. He was a top five Predator in expected goals for in his last two games. 

Barrie also adds veteran presence that will be necessary moving forward even as Nashville focuses on developing their younger players. His twelve seasons and last year's run to the conference finals with the Oilers add valuable experience beside Roman Josi and Ryan McDonagh. 

How long his future with the Predators will be remains to be seen. Barrie will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and both parties will need to decide what the immediate future looks like on defense. In the meanwhile, Nashville is still in the hunt for a wildcard sport and Tyson Barrie may be an overlooked asset who could help make that late playoff push. 

Related Reading:

Predators - 3, Blackhawks - 1: Tyson Barrie Scores First Goal as a Predator

Nashville Predators Trade Mattias Ekholm to Oilers

Five Insights: David Poile and Barry Trotz Talk General Manager Transition