Simpleton
Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 502
The closest comparable I can think of is John Klingberg. He signed with the Ducks for $7M x 1, proving there is a market for these kinds of players. However, the trade market is cut-throat right now, and the meaning of "cap dump" appears to have been redefined. In the salary cap era, there have always been trades that were motivated by the need to be cap compliant. In the past, the term "cap dump" was used to describe transactions that involved players of little, or rapidly diminishing value. Today a "cap dump" may involve a player of significant value, as evidenced by recent transactions involving Vegas.
At the time Barrie signed his current contract the total value was team friendly, the AAV of $4.5M was considered low and I'm sure Ken Holland felt he'd have no trouble moving Barrie before the 3-year deal came to an end. Most fans felt the term was not ideal, but understood that it was necessary in order to keep the AAV down. Well, since then, Evan Bouchard's game developed much quicker than anticipated, and League revenues went into the dumpster and the salary cap stagnated.
I think the length of Barrie's contract is the biggest impediment to a trade in today's market. In my opinion, this player probably garners more interest and a better return at the TDL, or in the next off-season. At the very least, he should be less expensive to move by then. In the meantime, Woodcroft and Manson have to figure out how to achieve some balance on Edmonton's blue line, and Holland needs to figure out how he's going to get his team under the salary cap.