Observations:

February 2014 – Barberio has enjoyed a modicum of success since our last update. He’s in the midst of the longest consecutive stretch of games so far without being a healthy scratch with the Lightning. When top defenseman Victor Hedman was unable to play in the January 19th game against Carolina, the question asked was, “would anyone on Tampa Bay’s blueline be able to step up?” Nobody would’ve guessed the player would be Barberio, who lit the lamp twice and posted four shots on goal en route to being named the game’s first star of the night. It was only one game, but it displayed the kind of impact Barberio could eventually have every day in the lineup. After the Carolina game, he went on to score two goals in the next three games, giving him four goals in his last seven games. He’s still making a couple glaring mistakes each game but is also playing with more confidence lately which bodes well for his future. He remains a work-in-progress but the tools are evident, and so is his fantasy potential. Randall Buschmann

November 2013 – Barberio has played in only 12 of Tampa Bay’s 25 games to date and has no goals, two assists and 11 shots on goal to show for it. Being used primarily as a spare defenseman, Barberio is averaging just over 14 minutes per game when he is in the lineup. He typically averages three or four defensive gaffes per game and has been guilty of taken several very lazy penalties. It’s very likely Barberio would still be in the AHL if he were still waiver exempt, but since he would have to pass through waivers to get sent down, he is getting a longer look with the Lightning. As it remains now, Barberio was a favorite of Lightning coach Jon Cooper in the AHL, so expect him to continue getting chances. Randall Buschmann

October 2013 – After three seasons of AHL hockey, Barberio has earned a spot on Tampa Bay’s opening night roster and appears to be set to begin his NHL career. Randy Buschmann

May 2013 – For a second consecutive season, Mark Barberio was the top scoring defenseman on the Lightning’s AHL affiliate with eight goals and 42 points in 73 games. Also for a second consecutive season, Barberio finished fourth overall on the team in points. Barberio continued to be a team leader and key offensive contributor while honing the defensive side of his game and was named a second team AHL All-Star. Near the end of the NHL season, he received a two game stint with Tampa Bay and doesn’t appear to be far away from full-time NHL duty. Currently, Barberio is helping lead Syracuse into the conference semi-finals of the Calder Cup playoffs. Randy Buschmann

May 2012 – An offensive blueliner, Mark Barberio has been stellar since turning pro. This season he captured the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s top defenseman after posting 61 points and a plus-28 rating in 74 games with Norfolk. There is a glaring need in Tampa Bay for a power play quarterback and Barberio’s statistics indicate he might be the man for the job. The possibility of sharing the ice with Steven Stamkos should have him on everyone’s radar heading into next year. Eric Daoust

Fantasy Outlook: B+

Very nice upside, and a great opportunity for success in Tampa Bay. Only question is, can he put it altogether? 

Footage:

Coverage of Barberio winning the Eddie Shore Award

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