Tyson Barrie avoids arbitration ruling, signs 4-year deal with Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche beat an NHL arbitrator to the punch by signing defenceman Tyson Barrie to a four-year, $22 million contract Sunday.

The team announced the signing, and a person with direct knowledge of the contract revealed its value to The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the Avalanche did not provide that figure.

The deal was reached two days after both sides made their cases at an arbitration hearing in Toronto but before the arbitrator issued a ruling.

Barrie's was the first case heard by an arbitrator this summer.

The 25-year-old Barrie has led Avalanche defencemen in points in each of the past two seasons, including a career-high-matching 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points in 78 games last season.

Barrie also matched a career best with five game-winning goals, and led the Avalanche in power-play points with 21 (three goals, 18 assists).

Overall, he has 40 goals and 113 assists for 153 points in 264 career games.