Nashville, Tenn. (February 28, 2023) – Nashville Predators president of hockey operations and general manager David Poile announced today that the team has acquired defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Reid Schaefer, a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a defenseman Matthias Ekholm and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
“We are thrilled to add one of the NHL’s most consistent offensive producers from the blue line in Tyson Barrie to our roster and a talented forward with high potential in Reid Schaefer to our ever-growing prospect pool with this transaction,” Poile said. “At the same time, this trade strengthens our number of potential draft picks over the next two years, including another first-round selection in the NHL Draft this summer, which will take place at Bridgestone Arena.
“On behalf of the entire organization, we would like to thank Mattias and his wife Ida for their contributions to the Predators on and off the ice over the past 12+ years. can be overstated – to be a vital part of our leadership group, including as an alternate captain; to help guide us to a Stanley Cup Final, a Presidents’ Trophy and two Central Division titles; and for being a constant positive presence in our efforts to grow the game in We wish Mattias and his family the best in Edmonton and thank him for all he has done during his time in Nashville.
Barrie, 31 (7/26/91), is tied for 11th among NHL defensemen in points this season with 43 (10g-33a) in 61 games with the Oilers. Entering Tuesday, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound defender has posted nine multi-point efforts and is coming off a six-game point streak from Feb. 15-25 (3g-5y), his second of at least that lots of games this season. Barrie’s 28 power-play points (4g-24a) are the best in the NHL at his position, helping Edmonton own the league’s best power-play percentage at 31.9%.
Originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round (64th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Barrie has 478 points (105g-373a) in 744 career games. Since his first full season in 2013-14, his 465 points (103g-362a) are seventh among NHL defensemen, with the Predators captain Roman Josie sitting third on this list with 562 (147g-415a). A consistent producer on the power play, his 196 power-play points since 2013-14 are the eighth-most by any defenseman in the League, and he has recorded at least 20 power-play points six times, with a career-high 30. (7g-23a) established in 2017-18 with Colorado. Barrie has 20 points (2g-18a) in 46 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, most recently skating in 16 with Edmonton in 2022, where he had five points (1g-4a) and an 18 average: 18 ice time. The native of Victoria, British Columbia has represented his native Canada at three major international events, including two World Championships – winning gold in 2015 and silver in 2017 – and at the 2011 World Junior Championship, winning a silver medal.
Schaefer, 19 (9/21/03), is skating in his fourth season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in 2022-23 and ranks fourth on his team in goals (23) and sixth in points ( 47). The 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward is tied for fourth in the WHL in game-winning goals with a career-high seven and has scored four times on the power play after scoring nine of those goals in 2021-22. The Edmonton, Alta., native has eight points (4g-4y) in his last three games with Seattle, including a record four-point performance on Feb. 24 against Tri-City (2g-2a). Originally drafted by Edmonton in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, he won gold at the 2023 World Junior Championship, playing in all seven games for Canada.
The Predators now have 12 selections in the 2023 NHL Draft, which takes place in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena on June 28-29 – one in the second and sixth rounds; two in the first and fifth rounds; and three in the third and fourth rounds. Nashville has nine picks in the 2024 NHL Draft – one in the first, third, fifth and seventh rounds; two in the fourth round; and three in the second round.