Barn Burner: Should the Calgary Flames add a depth defencemen to keep themselves in the Wild Card race?

On Friday’s episode of Barn Burner, Boomer, Pinder, and Rhett discussed the current state of the Calgary Flames defence and the possibility of adding a depth piece at this year’s trade deadline as the team continues to pursue the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Comparing the opening night roster to what the Flames are currently working with, there are noticeable departures with some still expected to come before the March 8 deadline. With experienced veterans being traded off the roster and some younger players with not a lot of NHL being inserted, Boomer suggests that the Flames might want to consider looking at what’s on the market if they want to remain competitive.

“There’s also some thought that maybe the Flames will be in the market to buy a depth defencemen. You take Zadorov, Tanev, and Hanifin potentially, you take all these guys out. It might be nice to have a warm body come in for a depth pick.”

According to Frank Seravalli’s Trade Target’s board, there are a couple of options that the Flames could explore if it is a defenceman they are looking for. Pinder liked one player in particular on the list in Tyson Barrie, who since being acquired at last year’s deadline has fallen out of favour with the Nashville Predators.

“Nashville wants the cap space, he’s hardly playing, expiring contract… You don’t have a D that’s great on the power play. That’s kind of what [Barrie] has become is a powerplay specialist. If they send a fifth [round pick] to Nashville and Nashville frees up some money?… That’s the kind of move that makes sense if the Flames are going to add. Very late pick for a guy that’s just not in the right spot on a contending team.”

In 35 games this year, Barrie has one goal and 11 assists while carrying a minus-10 rating. His 18:26 of average ice time has been the lowest of his career since the first year he broke in with the Colorado Avalanche, one in which he only dressed in 10 games. His $4.5 million cap hit takes him to the unrestricted free agent market this summer.

While Barrie could potentially be a better fit in Calgary than he is with his current team, Rhett is skeptical that there might be some hesitancy in trading between two teams battling it out in the standings.

“I’m just curious with Nashville and Barrie, I think the Flames still want to make the playoffs… Nashville, that’s who you’re chasing… You’re not going to help a team that you think might be on your heels.”

As things currently stand, Calgary sits seven points back of the last playoff spot in the conference with two games in hand on the Predators, who have rattled off an impressive run of seven straight victories. Do you think the Flames need to add an extra piece to stay in the race? Let us know in the comments!

Check out Friday’s episode in full here:

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