3 Reasons to Celebrate Tyson Barrie’s NHL Career

A former Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and other teams’ longtime NHL blueliner has officially called it a career. On Monday, the league announced that defenceman Tyson Barrie is retiring after 822 games and 14 seasons. At just 34 years old, Barrie steps away earlier than many of his peers, but he leaves behind a career that was both productive and profitable.

There may be a tendency to view Barrie’s body of work as less than stellar. However, how many defensemen get to play this many games in the sport they love, with the success that Barrie has had? Not many is the quick answer.

Barrie will likely go out without much fanfare, but that undersells what he accomplished. He wasn’t a shutdown defender — that was never his game — yet he carved out a 14-year run as one of the NHL’s better offensive defencemen. With nearly 500 career points and stretches where he quarterbacked some of the league’s most dangerous power plays, Barrie’s career deserves recognition.

Reason One: Barrie Was an Elite Offensive Defenceman

Barrie’s offensive instincts defined his career. Drafted in the third round by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009, he went on to record 75 goals and 307 points in 484 games with the Avs, including a career-best 59 points in 2018–19. Few defencemen of his era could move the puck and contribute offensively at his level. His ability to jump into the rush and run a power play made him a constant weapon.

Reason Two: Barrie Was a Near-Perfect Fit on the Oilers’ Power Play

Barrie’s most memorable stretch came in Edmonton, where he scored 132 points in just 190 games. In 2022–23, he helped quarterback what became the most efficient power play in NHL history. Surrounded by talents like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Barrie maximized his skill set and delivered at an elite level, proving he could elevate a team’s offense from the blue line.

Reason Three: Barrie’s Longevity and Adaptability Shone Through

Even as his role diminished in Nashville and later Calgary, Barrie kept finding ways to contribute. He played more than 800 NHL games, earned multiple long-term contracts, and made himself valuable in different situations. While his defensive play was sometimes critiqued, his offensive production ensured he remained a sought-after piece for over a decade.