Avalanche's Barrie becomes 1st player to have arbitration hearing in 2016

For the first time this offseason, player and team met with an independent arbitrator in order to determine the value of his next contract.

In this case, it's Tyson Barrie and the Colorado Avalanche who were unable to reach a deal prior to the hearing date, unlike all others scheduled up to this point. As a result, the two sides squared off in Toronto on Friday, with arbitrator Elizabeth Neumeier presiding over the hearing, according to Terry Frei of the Denver Post.

Multiple reports suggest Barrie is looking for $6 million on a one-year contract, while the Avalanche presented a two-year offer that would see the defenseman earn $4 million and $4.25 million in the next two seasons.

Neumeier's decision must be announced within 48 hours of the hearing's conclusion, and she's not bound to select either party's number. The two sides can also agree to a deal of their own within the two-day window, but that seems unlikely in this case.

The Avalanche can also choose to walk away from the decision, rendering Barrie an unrestricted free agent, while the possibility of a trade remains ever-present amid the apparent void that exists between Barrie and management.

Barrie, 25, is averaging 0.58 points per game over the course of 264 appearances with the Avalanche, and is coming off 53- and 49-point seasons in Colorado.