Is Paul Byron a NHL calibre player

[1stLand]

I saw Byron shopping at cross iron mills on Christmas eve.
I was going to ask for his autograph but then I stopped in my tracks and asked myself "is this an NHL calibre player?"
Me thinks no

[Blixa]

Flames have worst save% in penalty kill for 80.99%. Best is pittsburgh 93.00%, so biggest problem is goalie. Byron is good 3/4 line player and he has decent corsi numbers against other 3/4 lines.

[formulate]

Being a good penalty killer is pretty tough to quantify. It's easy to notice Byron on the PK because he is crazy fast which generates quite a few breakaways. But in general, I'd say a good penalty killer would be someone who can help reduce the number of shots and scoring chances for the other team.

On the Flames, 8 forwards have spent at least 20 minutes on the penalty kill this year (so the sample size is very small). According to war on ice, Byron is the best of those 8 at generating scoring chances for at a rate of 12.7 per 60 minutes (he's been on the ice for 12 scoring chances for the Flames in just under 60 minutes of PK time), but he's also the worst for allowing scoring chance: 52.9 per 60. Jooris, Bouma and Granlund are all over 50. Monahan has been the best in limited time, at a rate of 33.5, with Colborne and Backlund not too far behind. League-wide, Monahan actually rates 10th overall for forwards with at least 30 minutes so far this year.

Interestingly, when looking at shots, Byron actually rates above average on the Flames, with the Monahan, Colborne and Backlund still leading the way. So I guess Byron is doing a decent job limiting shots, but his aggressive style (while producing some offensive chances) is yielding higher-quality shots for the other team. This is definitely something I'll be keeping an eye on throughout the season.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Didn't read through the thread so not sure what's been said, but to me, absolutely. He consistently is in the line up on a middle of the road NHL team right now. If you can do that, you are likely an NHL player.

Now a better question to me is based on the assets the Flames have and needs, is he a long term fit with this club?

[flamesfever]

This team would be poorer without Byron. He is a coaches favourite for a reason. He is versatile, dependable in general, hard working, fast, and capable of everything a player twice his size can do. So his point total is not high...SO WHAT! Not every player on the team is expected to pile up points. I've watched him from near ice level now for a few years, and he is definitely worth what we are paying him and more.

Players like him become increasingly important, when our cap starts going up in order to keep the stars. If we drop him to satisfy Burke's emphasis on size, I will be extremely disappointed.

[Scoutski]

He definitely does the job he's been asked to and he's not a detriment the way Setoguchi or O'Brien have been in the past. Hartley has always seemed to be a big fan of his and well, I'm going to trust that man. That said I wouldn't be upset if he were shipped off or not re-signed, I imagine he will get picked up elsewhere, so I guess in short, yes he's NHL caliber.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

What a stupid thread

No, it's actually a very legitimate topic with well thought out points on both sides.

I'll never understand the "stupid thread" comments when it's an actual intelligent hockey topic being discussed.

[Vinny01]

He is a player who I think is playing his last year in Calgary. He is not a bad 4th liner, plays bigger than he is and has a ton of speed. There are too many prospects pushing for spots to keep Byron beyond this season.

[Rerun]

Bob Hartley thinks so.

The Flames have played 45 games. Paul Byron has played 45 games.

/end thread

[AC]

Fun fact: Byron his 9th in the NHL in takeaways.

Gaudreau is 8th, and Brodie is 13th.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

No, it's actually a very legitimate topic with well thought out points on both sides.

At the same time, the notion that he doesn't belong in the league is silly.

Given his size especially, he's had to go over and above to impress coaches and managers at all levels of hockey over the years to advance up to the next level. Work ethic and intelligence level and knowing where to be to pick off passes/strip opponents, are some of the intangibles that don't show up on the stats sheet or on the 27-60" TV screen sizes that most fans watch the game on.

If he had a little bit more puck luck/finish on great opportunities he's created with his speed and smarts (intercepting passes on the PK, and all his takeaways for example) in getting to the right spot to get breakaways, odd man rushes,he'd have an easy 4 or 5 more goals for a total of 10+ goals and 30+ points and be 3rd in forward scoring....at the league minimum salary.

[Huntingwhale]

Byron may have hands of stone, but if he ever puts it all together look out.

Other then that I think he's pretty useful. Small, but plays like he's over 6ft. Always finishes his checks, is gritty, and gets into scrums. If you can find an upgrade on him then you take it. But he's not useless at all.

[Antithesis]

Not every player is going to be a PPG all-star. Good teams have players like Byron who contribute in other manners. Aside from that, I place my trust in the coaching staff and management of the Flames. If they say Byron is an NHL calibre player, then he is.

[topfiverecords]

Byron is all heart. He has an impact to the team in many intangible ways. Work ethic and a consistant effort rubs off on other players and adds to the camaraderie of the room. I think if he scores on even as few as 2 of those breakaways his role wouldn't be questioned.

[Geeoff]

I think he is a useful player. Wouldn't trade him for less than a 3rd.

[Nme-Territory]

Good teams need players in roles other than goal-scorer. He fills a few roles, puts teams on their back foot due to his speed, and he's paid the NHL equivalent of peanuts.

I can't say whether or not he should be a part of the team long-term, but this season he deserves to stay.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Apologies if a similar thread already exists but I am puzzled as to why Byron is still on the roster especially given our newfound depth.

Blazing speed, no doubt and a high compete level. But zero finish and some really poor decisions lately. Attempted to throw the puck back to our D last night which resulted in a grade a scoring chance for SJ last night. Stating the obvious, he lacks NHL size which he tries to overcome by playing physical, which he does in spurts but not consistently.

Despite this obvious lack of finish and mediocre hockey iq, he continues to be a favorite of coach Hartley and was out to start to start ot last night. I get the fact his speed creates opportunities but rarely do those chances get capitalized on.

Some will say his speed is an asset on the pk but we have other players what can fill that role just as well. Raymond has speed to burn and while he is going through a tough time offensively, he had a body of work that exceeds Byron's.

This may all resolve itself once Jooris returns to the lineup and Byron is a healthy scratch. But would much rather see one of our young guys up in his slot so they can continue their development instead of it being filled by a marginal player who wouldn't be on a majority of NHL roster.

Are others seeing something in Byron that I'm not or are others feeling the same way?

Are you suggesting Hartley has an ulterior motive for keeping Byron on an NHL team in which he doesn't belong?
I'm kindding, I don't believe you think that...
He plays an important and oft unheralded role on this team and guys like that are not always easy to find/replace. I most definitely think he is an NHL caliber player and important part of this team.

[badger89]

If he learns to raise the puck, he'll score 30 (20 on the breakaway alone).

[remember2004]

Originally Posted by badger89

If he learns to raise the puck, he'll score 30 (20 on the breakaway alone).

Haha no doubt especially with all his chances this year. I think he's one of the hardest working Flames every year, some people might say his size is a problem I don't really think so.

[dammage79]

Yes Byron is an NHL player. He's earned his way into the league. His speed is amazing, his dogged pursuit of the puck is great and he plays the game like he a six inches taller and 100 pounds heavier. His problem is finish. Just doesn't have it. Could he find it? Maybe but I don't think it'll be with the Flames.

Does he have a future in Calgary? I don't think so. I figure his spot on the roster will be taken as early as the deadline. With Shore and Granlund being the two players who will oust him. I just don't know if He can hold on to his spot once Jooris is healthy.