Predators acquire Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer, Two Picks from Edmonton

Nashville, Tenn. (February 28, 2023) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/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 Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Matthias Ekholm and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

“We are excited to add one of the NHL’s most consistent offensive producers from the blueline in Tyson Barrie to our roster and a talented, high upside forward in Reid Schaefer to our ever-growing prospect pool with this trade,” said Poile. “At the same time, this trade strengthens our pool of potential draft picks over the next two years, including another first-round selection in this summer’s NHL Draft, which will be held 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 both on and off the ice over the past 12-plus years. The role he played in our franchise’s achievements cannot be overstated – from being a permanent part of our leadership team , including serving as an alternate captain; helping guide us to a Stanley Cup Final, a President’s Trophy and two major division titles; and being a constant positive presence in our efforts to grow the game in our community. We wish Mattias and his family all the best in Edmonton and thank him for all he did during his time in Nashville.”

Barrie, 31 (7/26/91), is 11th among NHL defensemen in points this season with 43 (10g-33a) in 61 games for the Oilers. Entering Tuesday, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound blueliner has posted nine multi-point efforts and is coming off a six-point streak from Feb. 15-25 (3g-5a), his second of at least that. many games this season. Barrie’s 28 power-play points (4g-24a) are the most of any NHL player at his position, helping Edmonton own the league’s best man-advantage percentage at 31.9 percent.

Originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round (64th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Barrie owns 478 points (105g-373a) in 744 career games. Since his first full season in 2013-14, his 465 points (103g-362a) are the seventh-most among NHL defensemen, with Predators Captain Roman Josi third on the list with 562 (147g-415a). A consistent producer on the power play, his 196 points on the man advantage since 2013-14 are eighth-most among League blueliners, and he has recorded at least 20 power-play points six times, with a career high of 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 averaged 18:18 of ice time. The Victoria, BC, native has represented her native Canada at three major international events, including two world championships — winning gold in 2015 and claiming silver in 2017 — and at the 2011 World Junior Championships, taking home a silver.

Schaefer, 19 (9/21/03), is in his fourth season with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds in 2022-23 and is tied for 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 collecting nine such goals in 2021-22. The Edmonton, Alta., native has eight points (4g-4a) in his last three games for Seattle, including a season-high four-point performance on Feb. 24 vs. 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 Championships, suiting up in all seven of Canada’s games.

The Predators now own 12 picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, which will be held in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena on the 28th-29th. June – 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.