Last season was the first time Barrie was really quite effective on the powerplay. He was / is still a 50 point defensman before that.
Barrie became a full time NHLer in 2013/14. Since that season to today he is 9th among all defensmen in even strength points. 235 points in 364 games (0.64 ES PPG) Since 2013/14 season to today Jake Gardiner is 23rd among all defensmen in even strength points. 181 points in 402 games (0.45 ES PPG). If we go back to include Gardiner's 2011-2013 seasons his averages fall further. Even if you want to dismiss powerplay production it is not a competition who is better offensively.
Regarding your TOI argument, since 2014/15 to today 74 players have played at least one game on the Avs. Amongst all those 74 players, no player has averaged a higher ES TOI per game than Tyson Barrie. So much sheltering.
I don't mean to detract from Barrie, I completely agree that he's an elite offensive defenseman and is a capable 5v5 player. But, in the last 2 years, he's in the 5th percentile of defensive zone starts - he gets put on the ice in the forward zone more than 95% of his peers where Gardiner is in the 47th percentile during the same period of time so middle of the pack. The decision to put Barrie in that type of usage probably has as much to do with him being very good offensively as it does him being not great defensively too, I'll concede that without being challenged on it
I agree that Barrie is a better offensive player, I think you'll get a false read by going way back in time on Gardiner though unless you expect him to return to being a <30pt player, and he's a better possession player despite being set up for the opposite with his usage. Overall I agree that Barrie is a better player than Gardiner, but my qualm was with the idea that it's outrageous that Gardiner+ is a fair trade for Barrie. The 9th best offensive player at his position for the 23rd best offensive player at his position who's a more rounded player plus adds seems very reasonable to me. I also wouldn't do the trade from Toronto's end until Dermott showed he was ready for Gardiner's minutes, and I can understand why Colorado wouldn't either, it was just the "typical Leaf fan trash proposal" stuff that I don't understand
That is absolutely not the best way to be good defensively.
It's a great way to keep the puck out of your net, but it says nothing about the player's defensive skill at all.
well this certainly fits your M.O.....pick out one tree, ignore the forest and get out the soap box
A player who never plays in his own end is on the ice for less goals against than the best defensive player in the world who is, call it what you will, it's good for the bottom line of winning games to not be in your own end
