A possible NHL comeback with the Canucks for two veterans defensemen
In a fascinating twist of fate, the twilight years of their illustrious careers find former Edmonton Oilers defensemen Tyson Barrie and Justin Schultz seeking to rekindle their NHL journey.
Both players are reportedly vying for a spot with the Vancouver Canucks, potentially on tryout deals as the team aims to bolster its defensive lineup.
As per a report from CanucksArmy
The Canucks are on the lookout for an additional defenseman to occupy the 6th or 7th slot. Schultz and Barrie are among the top five candidates considered for this role. This move could offer them a critical lifeline to extend their careers within the realms of professional hockey.
Justin Schultz's journey began with the Oilers, where he played from 2012 to 2016 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was with the Penguins that Schultz secured two Stanley Cup victories. However, after subsequent brief periods with the Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, his performance seemed to wane, as evidenced by a stark -23 rating last season. Now 34, Schultz faces the challenge of enhancing his defensive play to maintain his place in the league. Over his career, Schultz has accumulated a respectable 324 points across 745 games, underscoring his offensive capabilities.
On the other hand, Tyson Barrie, known for his tenure with the Colorado Avalanche and the Toronto Maple Leafs before joining the Oilers, has always been recognized for his offensive prowess from the backline. During his three years with the Oilers, Barrie consistently tallied over 40 points each season. However, his stint with the Nashville Predators saw a significant decline in performance, leading to frequent scratches from the lineup and an unfulfilled trade request. Despite these challenges, Barrie's career stats remain impressive, with 505 points in 809 games.
With both defensemen hailing from British Columbia, the potential to join the Canucks could be seen as a homecoming, a chance to close out their careers on a familiar note. The tryout contract could be the perfect platform for Barrie and Schultz to prove they still possess the caliber to compete at the highest level of hockey. Their vast experience and past contributions to the sport make them prime candidates to bring depth and expertise to the Canucks' defensive roster.
As the new season approaches, the hockey community will be watching closely to see if these seasoned veterans can turn their trials into a successful revival of their NHL careers.
Source for all Barrie stats: PuckPedia - Tyson Barrie
Source for Schultz stats: PuckPedia - Justin Schultz
| POLL | ||
Which player do you think the Vancouver Canucks will sign, Justin Schultz or Tyson Barrie? | ||
| Tyson Barrie | 34 | 40.5 % |
| Justin Schultz | 17 | 20.2 % |
| Neither | 28 | 33.3 % |
| Both | 5 | 6 % |
| List of polls | ||
