Avalanche, Tyson Barrie agree on 2-year contract worth reported $5.2M

The Colorado Avalanche signed restricted free agent defenseman Tyson Barrie to a two-year contract through the 2015-16 season, the club announced Thursday.

"Tyson is a big part of the young nucleus of our team," said Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's executive vice president of hockey operations. "He is a gifted young defenseman who brings a lot of offense. We are pleased to have him under contract and look forward to his contribution this upcoming season.”

According to Elliotte Friedman of "Hockey Night in Canada," the deal is worth $5.6 million over the two-year term.

The agreement comes after a series of protracted negotiations and with only two weeks remaining until training camp.

Barrie, 23, led all Colorado defensemen with 13 goals in 2013-14, the most by an Avalanche blueliner since 2006-07 (John-Michael Liles - 14). Barrie finished second among Avalanche defensemen in both points (38) and assists (25) while appearing in only 64 games.

At even strength, he led the team's defensemen with 1.15 points per 60 minutes, posted a team-high 50.1 Corsi rating, and was in on 41.9 percent of Colorado's goals scored when on the ice, also tops among the club's blueliners.

Drafted 64th overall by Colorado at the 2009 NHL Draft, Barrie is viewed as a major part of the team's core moving forward, and will be relied upon as a top-tier defenseman by head coach Patrick Roy.