CALGARY — Tyson Barrie’s gap-toothed grin does well to mask the anxiety he’s sure to be feeling of late.
In the next handful of days his playing future will be decided, with two remaining pre-season games likely to help determine his fate.
In Calgary on a professional tryout, the veteran rearguard is in tough against a group of youngsters who happen to represent the strength of the organization.
“I probably didn’t see myself in this position at this point in my career, but it’s a young man’s game and I’m 33 now, and it’s a hard league to stay in,” said Barrie.
“If you want to stay in it, you have to do some things differently and keep evolving your game.
“For me, this is part of my journey, and hopefully I’ll be able to put it behind me and keep playing.
“I wouldn’t want to do it every year, but it’s fun to challenge yourself.”
His latest adaptation included a Monday night assignment in which the right-shot defender played on his off side for the first time since junior, when he happened to play for current Flames coach Ryan Huska.
Two first-period assists alongside Brayden Pachal suggested he was up to the task.
The fact that the duo lined up alongside one another for the third pairing at Tuesday morning’s practice is a good sign Barrie will get at least one more look Wednesday against the Jets.
There is certainly a chance Tuesday’s top-three pairings could be the same on opening night:
MacKenzie Weegar – Daniil Miromanov
Kevin Bahl – Rasmus Andersson
Barrie – Pachal
Jake Bean – Joel Hanley
The question is, whether the Flames decide to make room on a crowded depth chart for an offensive specialist, albeit with a significant upside.
Barrie’s 505 points place him 10th among active NHL defencemen, but Weegar, Andersson and Miromanov are all pegged as the Flames’ power-play drivers.
Bahl, who was acquired in the Jacob Markstrom trade, started skating only a few days ago and is likely to battle Bean for a top-four role, now that Bean has also resumed skating.
Pachal is the team’s heaviest hitter, and has had a great camp as a second-year Flame.
Barrie could be signed to be the seventh man, who could be inserted for a different look.
If Barrie isn’t signed, Hanley is in the final year of a one-way contract and would likely start the season as the extra defender.
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Several youngsters are pushing and could also step into the lineup, including Ilya Solovyov, who was placed on waivers on Tuesday but appears, at age 24, to be ready to play more than the 10 NHL games he played last year on Calgary’s left side.
Artem Grushnikov, acquired in the Chris Tanev trade, is a 21-year-old second-rounder who has been one of the most pleasant surprises in camp, despite having just one year of pro hockey under his belt. He hasn’t looked out of place.
Right-shot Hunter Brzustewicz has also had a very solid showing in his first camp with the Flames since being acquired in the Elias Lindholm swap. The 19-year-old junior star will one day run the Flames power play, but is almost certainly destined to open his first pro season with the Wranglers.
Jeremie Poirier is another offensively gifted blue-liner the club would likely love to see make some appearances this year.
Veteran Jarred Tinordi is also a capable fill-in, having played over 200 NHL games.
Barrie is one of the more personable players in the league, beloved by teammates in every city he’s played in.
The rationale behind bringing him in revolved around him being a positive influence on the youngsters, he can add offence to the group and potentially land the Flames a draft pick at the trade deadline, if he were to have a solid campaign.
But there’s a cost involved in signing him, as his spot on the roster would take ice time and opportunities away from a youngster who may be ready to get valuable reps in the bigs.
“I prepared hard this summer and, to this point, I think I’ve shown myself well,” said the five-foot-11, 197-pound Victoria, B.C., native, whose offensive flair has certainly been on display.
“I feel good, I’m skating well, getting some looks, and playing kind of my game and, hopefully, they are seeing the same thing.”
NOTE: Backlund resumed skating Tuesday despite leaving Monday’s win early. Flames travel to Winnipeg Wednesday.
Forward lines Tuesday look like the ones you’ll most likely see open the season, barring injury:
Huberdeau-Pospisil-Mantha
Sharangovich-Kadri-Kuzmenko
Zary-Backlund-Coleman
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka
Schwindt