Nashville Predators' Tyson Barrie on trade request: 'It doesn't really feel like a great fit'

Tyson Barrie peeled off the last of his pads and slowly rose from the bench in front of his locker stall Thursday.

The Nashville Predators defenseman knew what was coming.

He knew he was about to be uncomfortable with the questions that were going to come his way, ones about him requesting a trade after being a healthy scratch last weekend. About the Predators granting him permission to talk with other teams. About general manager Barry Trotz.

Barrie didn't seem overly interested in perpetuating any sort of "Barry vs. Barrie" drama.

Trotz said Barrie wasn't a great fit, that he hasn't played up to expectations, that he was unhappy that word got out that Barrie wants out.

"I'm trying not to really air it out in the media," Barrie said.

More questions came.

As much as he might have wanted to, Barrie didn't exactly bury any hatchets, either.

"Well, if we're getting into it, I'm in the stands so it doesn't really feel like a great fit," he said. "My goal is to be playing hockey. Whether that's here or elsewhere is up for the powers that be to decide."

Scratches give Tyson Barrie itch to be traded

Barrie, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in the Mattias Ekholm deal, was a healthy scratch for the first time in his 13-year career Saturday. Recent history repeated itself the next day, when he was scratched again. He returned to the lineup Tuesday.

Barrie has zero goals and 10 assists in 18 minutes, 31 seconds per game, a career low. He was one of the last Predators off the ice after the team's morning skate Thursday, meaning he likely was going to be scratched again.

It has given him the itch to go somewhere else. He said his relationship with coach Andrew Brunette, who echoed Trotz's sentiments, is good.

"It was disappointing for me, and tough," Barrie said of his conversations with Brunette about being benched. "But they were respectful. We have respect for each other as people and human beings.

"It was never contentious."

Brunette talked about why he scratched Barrie, saying he has to do what he thinks is best for the team.

"He just hasn't played up to my expectations," he said. "I hope this re-energizes him, refocuses him to play a little better.

"I believe there's more there."

Barrie is in the final year of his contract and is a $4.5 million cap hit. He will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

“I feel like I’ve had some good moments and then pretty mediocre, so I understand where they’re coming from,” he said. “It’s a tough one for me."

Andrew Brunette on Tyson Barrie: 'He's been a pro'

Barrie several times said he didn't want the situation to cause any problems with teammates, and said that it hasn't.

While he offered few specifics about conversations he has had with Brunette and/or Trotz, he did offer a glimpse.

"We maybe didn't see eye-to-eye on some of the X's and O's stuff, but nothing crazy," Barrie said of Brunette.

Brunette said the fact that word got out about Barrie's desire to be traded "doesn't bother me at all."

"He's been a pro," Brunette said. "That's all you can ask, as long as there's no disruption in our locker room.

"I know there's always going to be noise."

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