Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Rumour] Dreger: Bowen Byram trade talks heating up. Calgary one of many teams interested

gvitaly · 07-03-2025, 05:16 AM

I actually see a lot of Rasmus in Byram when he skates the puck out. A little of Hanifin in the lack of a shot from the blueline, combined with the ability to get lost in coverage as he moves up to the circles. His wrist shot is better than either Andersson's or Hanifin's IMO.

Offense: Byram is pretty good at skating the puck out, or even leading the rush. His skating is great, and his finishing, especially on breakaways, is elite for a defenseman. He gets a lot of his goals by going to straight to the net, or off the rush when a teammate finds him as the trailer. That's why most of his goals are from the slot or the face off circles. Just don't expect a booming shot off the blue line that beats goalies from there. As far as his play making, I don't think he generates much as a passer, most of it comes from quickly taking the puck up the ice. I don't think Byram is a great PP guy, again, he's kind of like Andersson in that regard.

Defense: He mostly defends with his stick, which comes back to bite him occasionally when a forward gets positioning on him. He gets puck watching from time to time, standing still covering no one on his side of the net while the play develops elsewhere, but that could be a BUF system thing. In fact, I question his decision-making/compete from time to time since as long as he is covering his man he is more than content standing still, no matter how big of a grade A chance against is developing. He's also not great at blocking shots. He sort of attempts to get between the puck and the net, but he looks small when he does it, and he gets stuck in no-mans-land as a result. I think he's decent at denying zone entries with possession, but average at puck retrievals. Don't expect too much rough staff after the whistles, or him to initiate it. He's also average at the net front battles. His skating definitely helps in limiting rush chances against, and odd man rushes against. He reminds me a lot of Zadorov in the way he positions himself defensively, and how he reacts to plays, minus the big hits of course.

So yeah, he has a lot to work on defensively. I'm not sure how much of it has to do with the way BUF plays, but they have a lot of breakdowns defensively, and a lot of chances against. I question how well he sees the plays develop defensively, and if that can be changed.

07-03-2025, 05:16 AM	#426
gvitaly Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Exp:	I actually see a lot of Rasmus in Byram when he skates the puck out. A little of Hanifin in the lack of a shot from the blueline, combined with the ability to get lost in coverage as he moves up to the circles. His wrist shot is better than either Andersson's or Hanifin's IMO. Offense: Byram is pretty good at skating the puck out, or even leading the rush. His skating is great, and his finishing, especially on breakaways, is elite for a defenseman. He gets a lot of his goals by going to straight to the net, or off the rush when a teammate finds him as the trailer. That's why most of his goals are from the slot or the face off circles. Just don't expect a booming shot off the blue line that beats goalies from there. As far as his play making, I don't think he generates much as a passer, most of it comes from quickly taking the puck up the ice. I don't think Byram is a great PP guy, again, he's kind of like Andersson in that regard. Defense: He mostly defends with his stick, which comes back to bite him occasionally when a forward gets positioning on him. He gets puck watching from time to time, standing still covering no one on his side of the net while the play develops elsewhere, but that could be a BUF system thing. In fact, I question his decision-making/compete from time to time since as long as he is covering his man he is more than content standing still, no matter how big of a grade A chance against is developing. He's also not great at blocking shots. He sort of attempts to get between the puck and the net, but he looks small when he does it, and he gets stuck in no-mans-land as a result. I think he's decent at denying zone entries with possession, but average at puck retrievals. Don't expect too much rough staff after the whistles, or him to initiate it. He's also average at the net front battles. His skating definitely helps in limiting rush chances against, and odd man rushes against. He reminds me a lot of Zadorov in the way he positions himself defensively, and how he reacts to plays, minus the big hits of course. So yeah, he has a lot to work on defensively. I'm not sure how much of it has to do with the way BUF plays, but they have a lot of breakdowns defensively, and a lot of chances against. I question how well he sees the plays develop defensively, and if that can be changed.