Tyson Barrie and Colorado Avalanche Agree to Four Year $22 Million Deal

The Colorado Avalanche and defenseman, Tyson Barrie as they reached an agreement on a four year, 22 million-dollar deal on Sunday. 

Barrie told the Denver Post, “It is really nice to get it done. As you know, it was a bit of a process. Arbitration is not fun to go through, but it is part of the business, and I am excited the Avalanche has shown faith in me. I am happy to be a part of this team for the next four years and try to be a part of something special.”

The 25-year-old had an arbitration hearing on Friday in Toronto. He asked for a one year, six million-dollar contract, while the Avalanche presented the arbitrator with a two year, 8.25 million-dollar deal for the defenseman. 

A decision was scheduled to be made by the arbitrator on Sunday, but the two sides reached a settlement, before the decision was handed down. 

Barrie added, “I do not think we are allowed to comment too much on the arbitration, but it is not fun. I get that it is a business, and we say good things, they say bad things, and it is what it is. I am just happy to have this done. I am a Colorado Avalanche for the next four years.” 

He continued, “Looking back now it was an experience. I feel like I am a better person for it. I have gotten to know the business a little bit better. It had to be done. Here we are, we ended up getting a deal done and in the end, I think we are both happy with it. At the end of the day, it is nice to get it done. I am ready to move past this and move on and have a good relationship moving forward. There are no hard feelings on my side. I am looking forward to joining the guys in September.”

 

During the 2015-2016 National Hockey League season, Barrie scored 13 goals and 36 assists in 78 games. His 13 goals tied a career high for the defenseman. Five of the goals were game winners for Colorado. 

The Victoria, British Columbia native put up three goals and 18 assists on the power play during the past season. His future with the Avalanche is pretty much secure through the 2019-2020 NHL season.

Barrie said, “It is some security. It is nice not to play for a deal every year. With that being said, I have a long way to go as a player, and I know that. There is another level to my game that I am looking to take it to and really become that next level defenseman in this league. This deal represents that and it is something that I am going take pride in”  

Colorado drafted Barrie in the third round, 64^th overall of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 264 games he has scored 40 goals and 113 assists for the Avalanche. 

Barrie added, “They are looking for me to step up and help the younger guys. I am 25 now, and I think it is a good opportunity for me to step up and become a leader.”  

Barrie becomes the 25 and final NHL player that filed for arbitration to sign a new contract. 

Jakob Chychrun Signs Entry Level Contract with Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes announced on Saturday that they have signed Jakob Chychrun to his entry-level contract. 

The number 16 pick in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft, was ranked fourth on NHL Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters. The Coyotes acquired the draft pick, for Chychrun, along with the rights to Pavel Datsyuk, from the Detroit Red Wings in the draft day swap for the 20^th and 53^rd picks. 

Chychrun, 18, said, “It is an honor to sign with the Coyotes. I am the first to understand that there is still a lot of work ahead of me, but this is an absolute dream come true to sign my first NHL contract.”

He spent the past two seasons with the Sarnia Sting, of the Ontario Hockey League, where he scored 27 goals and 58 assists in 104 games. After 2014-2015 season, he was an OHL All-Rookie, while being named an OHL, second-team All-Star in 2015-2016. 

Last season his 11 goals and 38 assists, with 51 penalty minutes in 62 games, helped the six foot two, 210-pound defenseman, lead the Sting blue liners. He was also ranked as the fourth best OHL defenseman. 

Last season he played in the CHL Top Prospects game as well. At the under-18 World Junior Championship, he scored one goal and three assists in seven games, for Team Canada. 

Coyotes general manager, John Chayka said, “We are very pleased to sign Jakob to an entry-level contract. Jakob is a highly skilled player with an all-around game. He has a great work ethic and is very determined. We look forward to watching him to continue to develop this season.”  

The Boca Raton, Florida native, is the son of former NHLer Jeff Chychrun, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers. He is also nephew of Luke Richardson, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Oilers and Flyers. 

Las Vegas NHL Expected to Name Kelly McCrimmon Assistant General Manager & Lays Ice at T-Mobile Arena

Brandon Wheat Kings, owner and general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, appears to be close to being named assistant general manager of the new Las Vegas National Hockey League team. 

McCrimmon, also the head coach of the Wheat Kings, in the Western Hockey League, started with the organization in 1988 as an assistant coach, prior to taking over as general manager the following season. As assistant general manager in Las Vegas, he would serve as George McPhee’s right hand man. 

McCrimmon, received the WHL’s Executive of the Year honors in 1995, 2010 and 2015, as well as the Canadian Hockey League, Executive of the Year in 2010. The 55-year-old, served as an assistant coach with the Canadian team, during the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship earlier this spring. 

The Las Vegas team who will begin play during the 2017-2018 NHL season, began laying down the ice at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. The first hockey game to be played in the new arena, will take place on October 7 as the Los Angeles Kings will battle the Dallas Stars in a preseason matchup. The following night will pit the Kings against the Colorado Avalanche. 

After the ice was put down on Saturday morning, the arena staff began painting the red and blue lines, as well as a giant NHL shield on the center ice. 

Every season since 1997, the Kings have played a preseason game in “Sin City” at the MGM Grand Arena. They have dubbed the series “Frozen Fury.” Frozen Fury XVIII, will be the first one played at the new T-Mobile Arena, as well as the final one before the NHL expands to the city.

The NHL Board of Governors voted to approve expansion to Las Vegas on June 22^nd, with McPhee being named as the general manager on July 13^th. The organization hopes to have their nickname, logo and color scheme in place by September. 

The organization will also be holding an open house at the T-Mobile Arena for future season ticket holders on Monday, August 1, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Tuesday, August 2, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, giving them the opportunity to interact with the team’s business operations staff. As the fans enter the building, they will be given the opportunity view the seating bowl and explore all that the arena has to offer.