Oh it's true whether you want to believe it or not, he was the primary offensive catalyst on a contending team at the time he was dealt. Barrie's point totals his entirety with the Avs, if you exclude the disaster of 2016-17 were 38, 53, 49, 57, and 59. Note that he had his best point totals those final two seasons, and scored career highs in goals with 14 both of those seasons. He was considered one of the most consistent pure puckmovers in the league and quarterbacked one of the better power plays in the league.
Sammy is many things, but he's not what Barrie was for the Avs. He's a different player. I'd say he's better all-around, but that's beside the point.
Someday I may talk at length as to why I feel Barrie remains sorely underrated and underappreciated, especially here. I don't think his decline is all on him BTW. But anyway, point is, you can say Girard is a comparable talent, and you might be right, but that isn't the same as what other teams in the league perceive him as for the purposes of a trade.