Is Paul Byron a NHL calibre player

[Vulcan]

I like him but I think his lack of size on this team is a problem. If we have say Ferland or Wolf ready for NHL duty next season, I'd like that. Byron would probably be a great fit on a bigger team.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Is Byron a NHL player? On the Edmonton Oilers? Yes. On the Calgary Flames? Not so sure. I think we have better options. I like Byron's heart, but his lack of finish needs to be improved upon. I think we have better options in the AHL. Reinhart, Ferland, Arnold, Agostino and Wolf could probably provide what Byron does and have better finishing ability.

[#-3]

I'll say yes, but I think his career will be short.

Byron might get 1 more solid NHL contract, with or without the Flames i'm not sure, 1 or 2 years i'm not sure. then like so many others that just are great guys but just don't have a niche to justify the contract spot, he might get PTO's or two ways deals for a few years before he is forgotten.

So is 3-5 years in the league an NHLer? I think so, more than any of us.

[dissentowner]

He is ok as a 13th forward but he needs to be scratched once bodies get healthy. Obviously the Flames planned on Shore as a regular when they traded for him, scratch Byron and dress Shore who is the better player imo.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

First things first, the coaching staff thinks he's an NHL calibre player. On a team that has not only claimed "everything earned, nothing given" but shown they are willing to back it up with action, he has not been healthy scratched to date. He skates a pretty regular shift at 3rd/2nd line minutes and is a regular feature on our PK. The coaching staff also trusts him in some important situations (I believe he started OT and was on the ice for Monahan's GWG yesterday). So he must be doing something right.

Personally I think some people have gotten a bit too wrapped up in his lack of scoring touch on breakaways this season. Sure it'd be nice if he scored a bit more on them (shooting % this year is down 4.2% from his average) but it's not the be all end all. He's a good bottom 6 forward to have on the team. Quick, versatile, plays with some grit and can still chip in a few points here and there. By and large makes smart plays with the puck from what I have seen.

At this point I am guessing opposing D have also learned to respect his speed and likely sit back a tad when he's on the ice. Possibly an unnoticed/overlooked benefit to having him out there, especially on the PK.

He's also only 25 and makes league minimum salary. So I think we're getting a decent bang for our buck and judging by how fast he's gone from "long shot to make the team" to "NHL regular," he might still have some developing left to do and has some time to do it.

Long story short, yes he's an NHL calibre player and I hope we at least give some strong consideration to bringing him back for another season.

[thymebalm]

Paul Byron
Age:25
Season: 5-9-14 45GP
Career: 16-27-43 126GP
Corsi: 46.7% (3rd on team, 1st among forwards)

Brandon Bollig
Age: 27
Season: 0-2-2 37GP
Career: 7-9-16 162GP
Corsi: 38.2% (Team worst)

I think the question you wanted to ask was "Is Brandon Bollig an NHL calibre player?"

[Rerun]

^^^^^ That is so good. You made me laugh.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Much like Engelland and Bollig, he adds to the team in a certain way. Those guys add 'toughness' - though most would want them out of the lineup permanently, they are here to help make this a bigger and tougher team. Byron adds speed. Without question, he is a pure speed demon who has pretty good IQ. What this translates into is that although his breakaways leave something to be desired, teams have to respect his speed when he is out there. Because defensively he is pretty darn good, it makes it more difficult for other teams to transition against the Flames.

Will Byron be a Flame next year, or in the next few seasons? Who knows? If other prospects push him out, then great. That just means the Flames are getting better. Maybe he works on his shooting a bit - the guy actually has very nice hands and seems to be a very skilled player, but terrible at finishing. I would say that is his biggest obstacle at the moment - his lack of finish. However, for a 4th liner, you simply can't complain.

The guy hits, uses his (small) body effectively and is great on the PK or on the forecheck/backcheck. I don't really see much of a reason to really complain about him.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Paul Byron
Age:25
Season: 5-9-14 45GP
Career: 16-27-43 126GP
Corsi: 46.7% (3rd on team, 1st among forwards)

I was actually going to try and track his Corsi down out of curiosity. Just to try and paint a bigger picture of where he fits in on the team. Not that I put complete faith in advanced stats, but I certainly see the benefit in having them around and using them as part of analyzing player performance.

So thanks for that! Very interesting to see him so high as well.

[FlameZilla]

I like Paul Byron.

I'm not surprised to see that he's first amongst our forwards in Corsi, especially considering Backlund was out for so long. His speed and tenacity put the opposition on their heels, and despite being so small he makes some (relatively) monstrous hits out there. He's great defensively and on the PK and he works his little ass off out there for the team. He and Bouma epitomise what this team is about. That's not going to be as easy to replace as some on here seem to believe.

His lack of finish shouldn't be putting people off so much; he seems to average a clear cut breakaway every other game. I believe he'll start putting those away more frequently as he gets more experienced.

If we didn't have to dress Bollig or any other thugs next year my ideal 4th/energy line would be Bouma – Jooris – Byron. All breakaways and kamikaze forechecks.

[Caged Great]

If Byron only capitalized one 1/4 of his glorious chances, he would probably be over 20 points right now instead of 14. He is useful, but replaceable if something better comes along. I wish he had more finish.

[united]

Piggy-backing on thymebalm:

Zone starts (relative): -4.8%, 6th most difficult
Corsi (relative): +2.8%, 3rd best
Scoring changes (relative): +4.7%, 2nd best

He is definitely an NHLer and fine on line 3 or 4.

[CalgaryFan1988]

A lot of people say that Corsi is a garbage stat (Oilers) now people try and prove that Byron is good because his Corsi stats are good?

I'm not a huge fan of Bollig, but he has the build of a quality 4th liner. He can change the momentum of a game with a big hit or fight, which he has already this season.

Pretty sure Bollig wouldn't clear waivers, Byron has already a couple times.

Also, you can't argue that Byron plays 2nd/3rd line minutes and then compare his stats to Bollig who gets 4th line minutes and plays a completely different role.

I agree that Shore is a better option going forward.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

A lot of people say that Corsi is a garbage stat (Oilers) now people try and prove that Byron is good because his Corsi stats are good?

Keeping in mind there's literally hundreds of regular posters on CP, so the people saying that corsi stats are garbage and the people using corsi to prove Byron is good could be and are very likely, different posters.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Keeping in mind there's literally hundreds of regular posters on CP, so the people saying that corsi stats are garbage and the people using corsi to prove Byron is good could be and are very likely, different posters.

Yes, absolutely. That's actually why I didn't reply to anyone. Just speaking in general.

I don't follow Corsi stats at all, just remember some people saying the Oilers were doing great with Corsi, but hadn't won in 10 games. Makes me wonder how many oilers are ahead of Byron in Corsi.

[Mightyfire89]

As a 4th line energy guy and secondary penalty killer that you can stick into the lineup and not have huge concerns, I think he's ideal right now. His speed is an asset. The lack of finish is certainly a real thing, but if he finished every chance he has had, he would be making a ton load more money. He is what he is and I like him on this team. In the future he might be supplanted by someone else and I don't have a huge problem with that but whoever takes his spot is unlikely to have his speed and tenacity.

[JJ1532]

Is Paul Byron an NHL player? That is the wrong question. Because saying he isn't good enough for the other 29 teams doesn't mean he isn't good enough for us. He most definitely is good enough for us, at the moment anyway.

Think about what the management are trying to install with the team. A hard working, never give up attitude. Byron epitomises those qualities perfectly. He is the shining example to all the young, less talented players in our system that you don't need a lot of size or(in the nicest possible way) a lot of skill. You simply need to work your ass off every time he goes out on the ice and you will get a shot. You don't put in enough effort and you get benched. It seems to me that expectations of him are too high. Perhaps it was his excellent PPG return last season? I dunno, but we all need to lower out expectations of him. He makes the league minimum, so I'll take a committed game from him and anything above that is a bonus. He makes bad plays on occasion yes, but he's hardly alone in that category. Players making a lot more than him and with a lot more size and skill than him are making just as many mistakes, so to single him out seems bizarre.

As for comparing him to Bollig, there is no comparison. Bollig last season played all 82 regular season games for the Hawks. However, this season he has been scratched several times. Why, because the management don't think he has done well enough to deserve being on the ice. Byron on the other hand has been deemed good enough. As long as Hartley believes Byron deserves a roster spot, I believe he deserves a spot. And I do. However, thats all in the short term.

As we look to move forward, he will probably get pushed off the roster as our forward options improve. That is what it is. But until there is a time where enough players force him off the team through their own good play, I don't think his spot should be in question. He might not be an NHL player according to the other 29 teams, but he is a NHL Flames player and thats good enough for me.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Byron is replacement level.

He *can* play in the NHL, but most players of his skill level are playing in lower leagues/overseas.

[GioforPM]

Problem: Byron doesn't score on breakaways.

Solution: Replace him with a guy who doesn't get breakaways.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Byron is replacement level.

He *can* play in the NHL, but most players of his skill level are playing in lower leagues/overseas.

I disagree. I think he's an effective player who's better than a guy like Bollig who brings...what? A fight every 20 games? How would you justify Bollig staying in the NHL over a guy like Byron? Paul Byron is a fast, albeit small 4th liner who can be effective if he's used properly. I would take him on my 4th line anytime. If paired with a couple fairly big guys, he could be quite valuable.