Joe Sakic gave some simple reasoning for making the Tyson Barrie trade

While Free Agent Frenzy came and went with some expected big moves, most of which had rumoured destinations follow through, it wasn’t a free agent signing that made the biggest wave. In fact, we wouldn’t even say that it was the offer sheet Montreal extended to Carolina star Sebastian Aho (partially because it really doesn’t seem like the ‘Canes are going to have any hard decisions about it).

It was a trade between the Colorado Avalanche and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A lot of people immediately reacted by saying Toronto won the trade, as they got the best player in the deal that plays in their biggest need. Colorado didn’t necessarily lose the trade though.

Barrie was likely going to leave the Avs at the end of the year anyway, so it makes sense to get something for him. They also got a very cap friendly deal in Nazem Kadri that gives them a solid 2nd line centre.

For GM Joe Sakic, it was all about thinking down the road – particularly towards two years from now when he hopes to keep some core players.

Some called for Sakic’s head as soon as the move was made, but as the dust settled fans are beginning to see this more for what it was – a clever, calculated move.