Mark Barberio was one of the hidden gems of last year's free agent crop. At the time, when Marc Bergevin signed him to a one-year contract, the move was questioned because the team already had a logjam on the left side that prevented Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu from getting regular minutes. The move was regarded as a low-risk, high-reward move, but it now appears to be a steal.
Barberio is a product of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he was left unqualified by them last season, freeing him up to sign with the Montreal Canadiens.