Joe Sakic Squashing Rumors

There’s been a flood of Colorado Avalanche rumors lately. Mostly to do with defenseman Tyson Barrie. Bob McKenzie was almost certain Colorado would be dealing the star blue-liner. Which obviously led to more rumors being spread. McKenzie is highly regarded throughout the hockey world, but he seems to have gotten this one completely wrong.

There’s no question in my mind, I think Tyson Barrie is going to be traded – McKenzie

Joe Sakic recently told Denver Post reporter Mike Chambers that in fact, Tyson Barrie would not be traded after all. Sakic went on to say he wants him locked up long-term, or they will go to arbitration.

Avalanche NOT trading D Tyson Barrie, GM Joe Sakic tells me. LT deal preferred for RFA, or arbitration. “Either way, he’ll be here” – Sakic

— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) June 16, 2016

This should also ease the minds of many Avalanche fans who were also thinking their number one center Matt Duchene could be on the block.

http://gty.im/463999282

Sakic has come out quite quickly to squash the Barrie rumors, but remember similar things were said about Ryan O’Reilly. This however, has an entirely different feel to it. A more optimistic feel. The Avalanche don’t have the same luxury to deal Barrie with their lack of offensive defenseman, compared to the number of centers they had when O’Reilly was dealt.

Our core, we’re expecting to make the next step. Our core group is a group that knows they have to make the next step and mature on how they play the game. – Sakic

There’s a nice encouraging quote from the boss man, that core would be of course, Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene, Gabe Landeskog, Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie, and Semyon Varlamov. Read Chambers’ entire article here.