3 Burning Questions Surrounding Nashville Predators' Defensive Corps

How do you Handle Tyson Barrie if you can't Trade Him?

Barrie hasn't played in a game since December 23 and is now reportedly dealing with an upper body injury that has him day-to-day. It's looking like the Predators behind the scenes can't find a suitable trade partner for Barrie, so they're stuck with him for now.

If you can't trade Barrie and he's healthy to play, then he has to be in your starting lineup. He is better than Luke Schenn and it's about remaining in the playoff race, while also hoping he can spark his trade value with better play on the ice.

Leaving Barrie on the bench as a healthy scratch is counterproductive unless you're just ready to give up on this season, which obviously isn't the case. I realize Barrie has his defensive decencies, but he is unequivocally better than Schenn and at least provides better offensive upside and power play help.

I would have Barrie on the second power play unit for the Predators if he's in the lineup. Now it could be that the Predators aren't playing him because something is in the works and a trade is near. If he's dealing with some sort of nagging injury, you don't want that injury to become worse and then he really loses all trade value.

So it could be that the Predators are playing the cautious approach with Barrie and choosing to wait this out a little longer before becoming desperate to trade him, and maybe even retain salary.

If you can't trade him right now and he's healthy enough to play, he needs to be in over Schenn. It's that simple for me. Trade him as soon as you can and play him until that happens. Don't waste a trade asset by leaving them on the bench.

Predators need to get this done quick.