800-game NHL veteran Tyson Barrie linked to Atlantic division powerhouse as season approaches

Following three straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances, the Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled to go deep in the playoffs over the past few years, and that needs to change this season. With superstars all over their roster, they still have the team to do serious damage late in the season, and now, they've been linked to arguably the best remaining defenseman on the free agent market.

Just 18 months ago, Barrie was involved in a trade that saw Nashville acquire a first and a fourth round pick alongside Barrie for the services of Mattias Ekholm, but now, he's struggling to find a roster spot, and could be the perfect low-risk option on a PTO for Tampa Bay. This is a team that just traded away Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club, so with depth an issue on the blue line, there's no better time to make a move.

Barrie struggled a year ago however, tallying just 1 goal and 15 points over 41 games for the Predators, while posting a -10 differential as they pushed for the playoffs, so the 33-year old BC native will need to improve immensely to make this roster, but if he can, he would be the perfect fit for this talented Lightning squad.

Source: The Hockey News
Lightning Have Interesting PTO Target in Veteran Defender