[Rumour] Dreger: Bowen Byram trade talks heating up. Calgary one of many teams interested

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I'm not sure I would consider any of those players part of the core of this team. They are the definition of complementary players IMO. Nice pieces, but not core players.

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I simply don't buy that Byram is a core player in the making at this point. And I certainly wouldn't be parting with assets that reflect that kind of expectation. Buying low and hoping he turns into that kind of guy? Sure. But beyond the draft pedigree, I don't see any evidence that Byram is a franchise pillar type of guy.

Nothing in his results with the Sabres last season suggests he's anything more than a middle-pair guy in the same vein as Brandon Montour or Kevin Shattenkirk — at best.

Flames should hold onto their assets instead of pursuing this.

This is why the deal should be Zary for Byram.

Buffalo won’t want picks. No vet with value or protection is going to go there. Zary and Byram both have history’s of injuries. Flames have a glut of LHS wingers. Buffalo just moved one in Petrrka and may want a replacement.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Everything about this feels like a mistake. Reminds me so much of Hamonic.

Originally Posted by JTech780

How so?

Obviously not similar players stylistically, but the scenario feels similar. Not necessarily a position we need the most, but apparently willing to play in Calgary, and is highly touted. It just feels like going after players because they are obtainable rather than targeting positions you really need.

[Sandman]

There is nothing wrong with Byram as a player. What should make people nervous is the cost to acquire him, given his concussion history. He's a good two-way player, and skates better than 95% of the league.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I agree it's all about cost of acquisition.
I still think it will be something centered around Pospisil and Mews. For some reason I've always figured Mews would end up being used as a trade chip - I just don't see where he fits in long-term. I might be wrong.

If that's the price - I think it's great. He fits the age range Craig has consistently talked about acquiring. One can feel they would be better off stripping it down for high picks, but they just aren't going to do that.

I would be surprised if its involving Zary because they are so thin in centres, but perhaps the Flames don't see him as a centre. Or perhaps the contract gap is bigger than we thought.

I'm also not as high on Zary as others. I like him, but I think on a really good team he's a 3rd liner.

[FusionX]

If we part with both Zary and Pospisil as core pieces, any young b tier centers they have percolating that could work coming back? Losing Zary would definitely sting but having that up and coming piece may balance that out?

[kyuss275]

I would be pissed if flames 2 months ago wouldn’t put Zary in trade for Cozens but will do it now for byram.

[Rhett44]

I wouldn't give up Zary straight up for Byram. Never mind throwing in a pick or Pospisal.

[dammage79]

I like the roster build more with Zary on the roster over having off the roster. I value him equally as Coronato.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I agree it's all about cost of acquisition.
I still think it will be something centered around Pospisil and Mews. For some reason I've always figured Mews would end up being used as a trade chip - I just don't see where he fits in long-term. I might be wrong.

If that's the price - I think it's great. He fits the age range Craig has consistently talked about acquiring. One can feel they would be better off stripping it down for high picks, but they just aren't going to do that.

I would be surprised if its involving Zary because they are so thin in centres, but perhaps the Flames don't see him as a centre. Or perhaps the contract gap is bigger than we thought.

I'm also not as high on Zary as others. I like him, but I think on a really good team he's a 3rd liner.

Lord knows I LOVE Mews, but something is off there, and I'm not sure what. Either way, we have so many quality D in the system that we have the luxury of parting with one without feeling it.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I wouldn't give up Zary straight up for Byram. Never mind throwing in a pick or Pospisal.

Originally Posted by dammage79

I like the roster build more with Zary on the roster over having off the roster. I value him equally as Coronato.

Agreed. I believe if Zary's development wasn't stalled by injuries, he would already be a fixture in the top-six.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Hi Royle / Diss

Do you guys know if there is a timeline on this? Seems like Kevyn Adams just strings the Flames along to the point where if this doesnt work, Conroy should just block his number.

No, there is no set timeline on this. Both teams have an idea on what they want on a return, sometimes getting there takes time. Then there is the option of a third team being involved as well which I have heard rumblings of as well. There is plenty of time in the offseason yet to negotiate. What I can tell you is that the Flames are very interested in acquiring Byram and I think they will get a deal done, I just don't have any intel on what that entails.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I wouldn't give up Zary straight up for Byram. Never mind throwing in a pick or Pospisal.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I agree it's all about cost of acquisition.
I still think it will be something centered around Pospisil and Mews. For some reason I've always figured Mews would end up being used as a trade chip - I just don't see where he fits in long-term. I might be wrong.

If that's the price - I think it's great. He fits the age range Craig has consistently talked about acquiring. One can feel they would be better off stripping it down for high picks, but they just aren't going to do that.

I would be surprised if its involving Zary because they are so thin in centres, but perhaps the Flames don't see him as a centre. Or perhaps the contract gap is bigger than we thought.

I'm also not as high on Zary as others. I like him, but I think on a really good team he's a 3rd liner.

I think the Frost acquisition tells us everything we need to know about Zary’s perception as a C within the organization.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'll go with the advanced stats. And people I have talked to in Buffalo who watch him every game say he sucks.

We also have a surplus of defensemen.

I wouldn't trade Zary for that.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by TOfan

I think the Frost acquisition tells us everything we need to know about Zary’s perception as a C within the organization.

That and rumours that they still are looking for another center

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by TOfan

I think the Frost acquisition tells us everything we need to know about Zary’s perception as a C within the organization.

Ya, well if that’s the case, their perception sucks.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I'll go with the advanced stats. And people I have talked to in Buffalo who watch him every game say he sucks.

We also have a surplus of defensemen.

I wouldn't trade Zary for that.

I am pretty sure Calgary’s analytics department is one of the best in the league, so either their advanced stats say something different or Conroy isn’t listening to them. Based on the way the last few drafts have gone, I would say he listens to the analytics department.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Sandman

There is nothing wrong with Byram as a player- period, end of sentence. What should make people nervous is the cost to acquire him, given his concussion history. He's a good two-way player, and skates better than 95% of the league.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I know, I know- I'm getting cocky in my old age.

[Calgary4LIfe]

FWIW, fans from NYI were saying that Hamonic was propped-up by Calvin De Haan. Maybe that explains the seemingly big regression when he came here. He brought everyone down, not just Brodie. That Hamoic - Hanifin pairing looked fantastic for a short while, but then imploded so badly, and arguably cost the Flames the series against Colorado.



By Scorps' stats posted, it certainly appears that Byram is also being propped-up by Dahlin. Will he grow into a #1 here in Calgary? Or will he continue to look more like a bottom pairing PP specialist? It seems the Flames would be banking on potential here.


It isn't just the cost of acquisition to worry about - it is also the contract he demands. I would factor that into the decision as well.


How about we look ~2-3 seasons down the road. Where does he fit in? I would figure that a pairing of Byrarm - Parekh wouldn't make much sense. Who is on the top pair? Good problem to have, unless it is Parekh on the top pairing, and 1st PP unit, and Byram complains again and wants out?



I will trust the Flames here. They obviously see potential, and they must be confident that they can get him to grow his game the right way. These are certainly enough red flags to make me pause, but I assume the Flames have really dug-in here. I trust Conroy to listen to the analytics department more than Treliving did (Brouwer, Neal, for example), so perhaps the Flames see more than just the #4 overall hype. He has shown spurts of great play. He has also been pretty terrible as well. I guess we will see how he develops.



You don't get a player with his potential at this stage if the player doesn't have warts. If the Flames feel they can cure him of those, the acquisition price isn't stupid, and his contract demands aren't stupid, then I would be cautiously excited, but I will reserve the right to be carelessly depressed if he doesn't work out.