Report: Canucks turned down blockbuster deal from Avs for Barrie

In his latest 31 Thoughts article for Sportsnet last week, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered up a juicy little tidbit for Vancouver Canucks fans: BC native Tyson Barrie was almost a Canuck.

Apparently Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic and Canucks GM Jim Benning had negotiations surrounding Barrie when the young defenseman was embroiled in a contract dispute with his team. The details of the offer aren’t exactly clear, but Friedman’s speculates that the Canucks wouldn’t pull the trigger because of Sakic’s insistence on including Canucks blue liner Ben Hutton in the deal.

Check it out:

Given that we don’t have all the details it’s difficult to speculate on whether or not this deal would have benefitted the Canucks, but it’s tantalizing to envision a Canucks PP run by Barrie and Troy Stecher. 

Hey, who knows? With players like Matt Duchene wanting out of the tire fire that is Colorado these days, maybe the Canucks can pick up Barrie in the bargain bin sooner rather than later?