"I Like Paul Byron"

[Hockeyboy2]

You can really not have that many players of his size on a hockey team, maybe one...maybe. If that is the case then the following is true:

Whether or not we like Paul Byron, I am of the belief that there will never be a place for him long term in the Flames Organization unless he proves that he can out perform Johnny Gaudreau.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Stempniak is super streaky. Everybody even remotely associated with the NHL knows this. When he is "on", he's a franchise calibre player (ie 14 goals in 18 games in Phoenix). When he's "off", he's replacement-level.

He's been remarkably consistent in Calgary, playing at about 70% most of his time here.

But I doubt he's been fooling anybody in the NHL, and him playing a stretch of crappy hockey is nothing shocking to anybody either. He's a known commodity, which includes poor stretches.

That said, no way Byron fills his shoes. Because Byron IS a replacement-level player. We give Byron those minutes for a few games IF Stempniak gets traded, but unless we're
Looking to pimp Byron's stats to trade him, there's little point in putting in the top-6 (IMO).

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Poe969

These threads suck. Seems like there is an "I like" for almost every player.... This is a bottom 3 team in the NHL and people like this team lol?

Then don't read the thread. Simple as that. Some of us have been fans for years to decades and are willing open and able to talk and cheer for our team.regardless if this team is first or last I will be their to watch. I was dressed up in Flames gear since I was one. If you can not add anything to a thread other than insulting the op you need to learn discretion and pick to posts you enjoy.


P.s. the reason there seems to Be a "I like" for every player is because everybody has a mind of their own and doesn't just need to like the most popular. Its a team sport and everyone has a different role.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Byron = our next Fredrik Sjostrom.

Byron = our next Dustin Boyd.

Killer B's!

[Fire]

He has played well lately but I can't see him ever being a regular NHL player. Not skilled enough for the top 2 lines, not big enough for the bottom 2 lines. I would prefer he wasn't re-signed this off-season to give a "real" prospect more playing time.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

geez, what's your beef with the zamboni guy

Agreed! He gave me the ride of a lifetime! Really funny dude, lots of anecdotes. Zamboni Guy FTW!!!

[btimbit]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=696104

Forward Paul Byron has made his case to stay in Calgary this Christmas with stellar play since being recalled from the Abbotsford Heat on Nov. 28.

Byron has one goal and five points in seven games with the Flames this season and is currently riding a two-game point streak that has seen him put up four points and factor into every Flames tally in those outings.

"Paulie is such a little Energizer bunny. He works hard and he’s fun to watch, and right now, he’s great to put on the ice," Hartley said after Saturday's 2-1 OT win in Buffalo.

"He’s flying. He’s on the puck. He’s buzzing. He’s smart with the puck, and he’s giving us great minutes on penalty killing."

Byron credits his ever-growing confidence for his recent success.

"The coaches put a lot of confidence in me in those situations right now and I feel pretty good about myself and the way I was playing down in Abbotsford. I'm just trying to carry it up here and it seems to be working out."

[thymebalm]

So I'm unclear if it's cool to like Paul Byron or not right now, but I wrote an article about him anyway and it has a sweet pic I photoshopped so you should check it out here:

http://heathockey.wordpress.com/2013...ng-paul-byron/

[FlameZilla]

He deserves to be on the team while Sven sorts his game out in the minors. He's played really well & I've really enjoyed watching him, but I don't see how he could be a part of the future beyond the next couple of seasons.

I bet Burke wakes up in cold sweats at night imagining a Flames lineup with Gaudreau, Byron, Baertschi, Cammalleri & Hudler in it. He wakes from the nightmare each time screaming "TRUCULENCE!!!!"

[getbak]

I didn't realize this was already his highest scoring NHL season (tied with his first year in Calgary, but in a lot fewer games).

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by getbak

I didn't realize this was already his highest scoring NHL season (tied with his first year in Calgary, but in a lot fewer games).

Yea. I think what we saw from Byron on the Heat so far was a more sustainable type of offense, and more of a 200ft game. Nearly set a new high in points yesterday, had lots of good scoring chances with that ex-Heat line of Jones/Backlund/Byron.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Fire

He has played well lately but I can't see him ever being a regular NHL player. Not skilled enough for the top 2 lines, not big enough for the bottom 2 lines. I would prefer he wasn't re-signed this off-season to give a "real" prospect more playing time.

I think Byron is actually skilled enough for the top 6. Will he be consistent enough is the question, but he puts forth a consistent effort on practically every shift which is part of the identity that Hartley is trying to implement.

He may get re-signed. New management staff will have to take a look at everything organizationally, but I wouldn't mind if they resign him at all. He is a capable call-up at the least, and helps shoulder the load on the Heat for our other prospects. Has that great work ethic that you want to see rub off on other prospects.

He is the type of guy you just want to cheer for and hope he makes it, but it will be very difficult on a Flames' team who already have size issues, and even harder under Burke who is determined to change that. Still a good signing for a 2-way contract I think.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

So I'm unclear if it's cool to like Paul Byron or not right now, but I wrote an article about him anyway and it has a sweet pic I photoshopped so you should check it out here:

http://heathockey.wordpress.com/2013...ng-paul-byron/

Great write-up and fun read!

I think it's cool to like Byron. He and Bouma are fast becoming my fave-players right now...

Like you kind of allude you, I think Baertschi could learn from Byron in terms of utilizing his speed, and not hanging back so much. I think his recent assignment to Abbotsford will be good for him in this sense.

And how awesome was it to see Byron poking at Falk (I think?) all night against the Rangers? Such a size differential, but Byron didn't care. He was clearly the bully during those exchanges, and it was hilarious to watch!

[foshizzle11]

I like Byron so far as well. I like what he brings and I hope it can be sustainable at the NHL. I fear this won't be the case.

Also it is interesting to note that he can't be sent back without going through waivers. I think he is here to stay for the season. Unless Burke wants him gone then there is no risk sending him back.

Will be interesting none the less.

[Muta]

I like Byron, alot. When he's on his game, he can definitely play in the top six. He needs to now show consistency in his current production / work rate in order to find success.

That said, if Byron continues his ways, but he doesn't have a long-term spot on this team, we may have gained a trade asset with some value just in time for the deadline.

[northcrunk]

I like Byron but I don't see him having a long term spot in the Flames. Most likely he gets moved.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I would love to see Byron maintain his current level of play, but like a lot of smaller players the grind of the NHL is only for the toughest and biggest men. We have yet to fill out the lineup with enough "beef" to protect him. He's plucky, but he still screams "tweener" to me. Of course I would love to be wrong about him.

Here's hoping he continues to contribute for as long as he's able or with the team.

Who is Martin St.Louis?

Also Byron is the same size as guys like Patrick Kane.

[djsFlames]

I think we'll have room for 2 sub average sized players on a competitive team in the future.

So take your pick of Cammy, Hudler, Gaudreau, Byron, Baertschi.

It would be great to have Byron here, but it would have to come at the cost of someone else long term. If Baertschi and Gaudreau pan out, it's pretty much automatic that those will be those two over anyone else.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I think we'll have room for 2 sub average sized players on a competitive team in the future.

So take your pick of Cammy, Hudler, Gaudreau, Byron, Baertschi.

It would be great to have Byron here, but it would have to come at the cost of someone else long term. If Baertschi and Gaudreau pan out, it's pretty much automatic that those will be those two over anyone else.

Cammy is gone this year, Hudler turns 30 next month.

Why not have Gaudreau, Byron, and Baertschi for the future? They're still young guys.

[Stay Golden]

Byron has been better than i expected. Still don't want him resigned again. Several other FA's or players in trade i would rather have on the team in 2014.