Barrie feeling nervous ahead of first game as a Leaf

Tyson Barrie is a veteran in the National Hockey League, but he is just getting used to being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which has got him anxious. 

The defensemen will have his first outing as a Maple Leaf tonight and has been feeling the unexpected butterflies ahead of his debut as he explained to TSN. 

“It’s probably the first preseason game I’ve played in a while where I’m a little nervous, a little anxious,” Barrie said ahead of Toronto’s exhibition matchup against Ottawa at Mile One Centre. “It’s kind of a crazy experience getting traded and this is the first real crack I have at a game where I get to put that uniform on. I’m looking forward to it.”

While Barrie was traded to Toronto months ago, it seems like the move is just sinking in. Barrie had spent his entire eight-year professional career in the Colorado Avalanche, tallying 307 points (75 goals, 232 assists) in 484 NHL games. This is the start of a whole new chapter. 

“It’s up to me to come as advertised and play well,” Barriesaid. “Whatever the pundits think, if [they think] I’m good, that’s great. And hopefully I’m not in the spotlight for the wrong reason.”

Coming to Toronto and rejoining friend and former teammate Jake Muzzin has made the transition easier. The pair will remain intact on the ice as they proved great success together. The two blue liners won gold together playing for Team Canada at the World Championships in 2015. 

“It’s nice to have him guiding me around and showing me the ropes on the drills,” Barrie said. “There are so many things you become accustomed to on one team when you’re there for so long, and to switch it up when things are moving fast, I’m always checking in with Muz like, ‘Hey, what do we do? What do I do here? What do I do there?’ He’s been great with me.”

It feels like Barrie might be nervous about the fans’ intensity and love for the game in Toronto. He remembers one incident that got him anxious about becoming a Leaf. 

“I didn’t like seeing [Gardiner booed] because I think Gards is a great guy and a great player, so it can be a tough place to play if you get the fans against you,” Barrie said. “But it can also be an amazing place to play. Our d-corps is mobile and we’ve got some guys with a lot of games back there, so we shouldn’t have any issues.”

Let’s hope that the nerves calm down and they don’t get Barrie in trouble with the fans like it happened to Gardiner…