Canucks, Flames among teams interested in Maple Leafs’ Barrie

This week on Saturday Headlines they discuss the latest news of the NHL.

With the NHL trade deadline less than 48 hours away, a contingent of Western Conference teams are waiting to see the availability of Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tyson Barrie.

During Saturday’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston noted that the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights are “among the teams that are looking to acquire him.”

“They’ve certainly at least had some exploratory talks with the Leafs and will have to go elsewhere depending on whether he’s still going to be moved,” Johnston said.

Barrie, a pending restricted free agent, has 33 points and a minus-seven rating in 62 games with the Maple Leafs this season, his first in Toronto. The 28-year-old came over via trade from the Colorado Avalanche this past July, in a deal that also included Nazem Kadri and Alex Kerfoot.

His availability to be moved at the deadline appears to hinge on the health of Maple Leafs defencemen Cody Ceci and Morgan Rielly, who Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported are expected to be back some time in March.

“And if they are going to trade Tyson Barrie, they’re not going to do anything unless they know that they can have somebody that can tide them over until everybody is healthy, plus some futures — either for themselves or to use elsewhere,” Friedman said.

The trade deadline is 3 p.m. on Monday, so Toronto will have to make its decision one way or another by then.

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