Reports that Barrie has been granted permission to speak to other teams raised questions about Andrew Brunette's decision to healthy scratch Tyson Barrie against the Rangers Saturday afternoon.

The Predators defense has undergone several iterations this week. 

At the start of the week, head coach Andrew Brunette started games with eleven forwards and seven defensemen to help Luke Schenn get back into games and get used to the game rhythm after missing nearly seven weeks with a lower body injury. In Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild, a hit by Kirill Kaprizov took defenseman Alexandre Carrier out of the game. Friday the team announced that Carrier was listed as week-to-week with an upper body injury and the Predators recalled Spencer Stastney from Milwaukee. In Saturday's game against the Rangers the Predators went back to six defensemen with Stastney and Schenn together and Tyson Barrie a healthy scratch. 

Yesterday Elliotte Friedman reported that the Predators have given Barrie permission to talk to other teams and he would be a healthy scratch versus the Rangers. 

After the game, head coach Andrew Brunette was asked about Barrie being a heathy scratch and how he fits into the defense. 

With Carrier listed as week-to-week, it is likely Stastney will remain with the Predators for the time being. If a deal is made for Tyson Barrie, Trotz may opt to call up Marc Del Gaizo again depending on the return. Andrew Brunette is looking for the best defensive players and is willing to give young players performing well as much opportunity as the veterans who may not be playing their best. 

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