Paul Byron - The Handless Horseman Returns

[edslunch]

I'm having mixed feelings about Byron - he's energetic, fast, a key part of the PK and always a threat to break away, but he can't convert for the life of him. Reminds me of the original Handless Horseman - Matthew Lombardi.

I was really hoping he would establish himself on the team this year, and he has - if he would only score. Right now I don't think he has a place on this team as early as next year. It's unfortunate because his tenacity and PK ability would be missed.

[FBI]

Yeah I like him too but if we can only have a few small guys, I much prefer Johnny.

[PeteMoss]

He's got one breakaway goal.... Which is probably close to the team lead.

He's missing breakaways...but no one else on the team would be getting those breakaways.

[darockwilder]

He's similar to Paul Ranheim, but falls down way less.

[kyuss275]

I want him re-signed. He is an energy player that does his job. Sure it would be great if he scored on those breakaways, but if posters think he is a 30 goal scorer then they are wrong.

He also maybe small but plays way bigger than he is.

[Finger Cookin]

He's the NHL equivalent of Rachel playing Thanksgiving football on Friends. Sure, she might score a TD once. But you still don't worry about covering her for the entire game.

It's still easy to like his game for everything else he brings, he's one of the more consistent forwards on the roster in terms of effort every shift, forechecking, playing the body, and can be relied on for the PK. But despite all that, I also think he's not long for this org. The contract he signed this year suggests as much.

[ricardodw]

He is absolutely better than Mason Raymond.... in every category.

[bubbsy]

he's a decent 3rd line guy. Has speed, is hungry/tenacious for the puck, may not be big, but is able to get the job done. He creates/gets his chances, but shouldn't be relied upon for offense.

I like byron.

[hummdeedoo]

I still like him and think he could have a place on the team going forward - There are plenty of other aspects to his game that are appealing. Also I think he fits the present culture of the team very well - fast, relentless and very consistent.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

He is absolutely better than Mason Raymond.... in every category.

No, he's really not.

Raymond had 5 goals when he got hurt and has only been back for 4 games. He has to start producing again, but I'd take Raymond over Byron 10 times out of 10.

Don't get me wrong, I like Byron, but he probably has the worst breakaways:goals ratio in the NHL. He's gotta start scoring if he wants to be an every day NHLer.

[DoubleK]

He might want to try shooting a bit more on his breakaways.

But at least he's getting breakaways.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

No, he's really not.

Raymond had 5 goals when he got hurt and has only been back for 4 games. He has to start producing again, but I'd take Raymond over Byron 10 times out of 10.

Don't get me wrong, I like Byron, but he probably has the worst breakaways:goals ratio in the NHL. He's gotta start scoring if he wants to be an every day NHLer.

Yes he really is. Raymond scored 3 of those goals against Edmonton in one game. He really hasn't impressed me much outside of that. I don't think Byron has bad hands - in fact he has very good hands in my opinion but he needs to shoot more instead of going for the move. He's also been robbed a couple of times on those breakaways. I'd rather have him over Raymond.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Would be nice if he scored on more of the breakaways for sure.

However, a benefit to having him out there that might be less noticeable is opposing defenders having to respect his ability to generate these sorts of chances. Might mean they have to hang back a bit further and that also probably opens the ice up a bit more for us.

I like him on the PK as well.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by GettinIggyWithIt

Yes he really is. Raymond scored 3 of those goals against Edmonton in one game. He really hasn't impressed me much outside of that. I don't think Byron has bad hands - in fact he has very good hands in my opinion but he needs to shoot more instead of going for the move. He's also been robbed a couple of times on those breakaways. I'd rather have him over Raymond.

Byron has 5 goals, 5 assists for 10 points in 31 GP

Raymond has 5 goals, 2 assists for 7 points in only 13 GP

I'll give you that Byron adds great energy, but at the end of the day hockey is a results oriented business and Raymond has produced similar numbers in 42% of the games.

Again, I like Byron, but he has to start producing.

[Huntingwhale]

Last year Byron was burying chances, including a bunch of breakaways. Now it's so frustrating watching him come down alone and you just know he's going to miss. That little montage SN made last night of him missing every single breakaway this season made me sad. I don't think you get rid of him just because he's not converting on breakaways. He's definitely getting his chances. I think he's a good player and deserves a spot on the team, but if you can upgrade him for someone with more size and who can finish, you have to do that. And he's got to stop doing that same deke move everytime. Never works.

[PeteMoss]

In an ideal world Byron would be a 4th liner and PKer. Flames don't yet have the forward depth to push him down.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Byron has 5 goals, 5 assists for 10 points in 31 GP

Raymond has 5 goals, 2 assists for 7 points in only 13 GP

I'll give you that Byron adds great energy, but at the end of the day hockey is a results oriented business and Raymond has produced similar numbers in 42% of the games.

Again, I like Byron, but he has to start producing.

I think you are wanting a bit much for a 3rd line energy guy. I would think the average for a 3rd line energy player would be about 25-30 points for the season. Looks like Byron is pretty close to that.

[Gaskal]

I call your gruesome sounding title and raise you one gruesome gif.


Every time he doesn't score on the breakaway...

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I think you are wanting a bit much for a 3rd line energy guy. I would think the average for a 3rd line energy player would be about 25-30 points for the season. Looks like Byron is pretty close to that.

That's a good point. I guess what I find frustrating is how dangerous he could really be if he did bury more of those breakaways. While teams need to be aware of him now imagine if they really feared him

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

He's similar to Paul Ranheim, but falls down way less.

He's a much better stickhandler than Ranheim who regularly overskated the puck. Byron gets the shot on net but can't beat the goalie.