Is Paul Byron a NHL calibre player

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

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.

Just my opinion, obviously, but i think if you're trying to build a team for the playoffs (to win), you should have players on the bottom 6 that can wear down the other team and still contribute over a 7 game series.

LA/Chi have players similar to Bollig on their bottom 6. He hasn't been as good as people had hoped, I think that goes without saying.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Problem: Byron doesn't score on breakaways.

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

I seem to recall that Gretzky sucked on breakaways too.
And no, I'm not comparing Byron to Gretzky, on anything other than breakaways.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Just my opinion, obviously, but i think if you're trying to build a team for the playoffs (to win), you should have players on the bottom 6 that can wear down the other team and still contribute over a 7 game series.

I think it's easier to "wear down" the other team by playing in their zone and getting shots up. I don't think our "large" guys - Bollig, Engelland, Smid have been or will be wearing anyone down... their combined -29 probably rejuvenates the competition.

Either way

1) We should let Treliving evaluate such if, when, and after we make the playoffs. We're not talking about a core piece here.
2) We should similarily expect some of the people with championship experience, Bob Hartley ('01 Avs), Gelinas ('90 Oilers), Burke ('07 Ducks) to address such an issue if and when it pops up. They haven't given any indication that he's not right for the team right now.

[Cheese]

Paul Byron 116 NHL Games played = NHL player

[CSharp]

Byron plays bigger than any small forwards I've seen of late and he's fast. Makes a huge difference when he put on some muscle weight from last season. Gotta get Gaudreau on the same formula.

[BlackWallStreet]

I noticed he's played every game this season, only others are Gio, brodes and monahan

he must be doing something right

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I seem to recall that Gretzky sucked on breakaways too.
And no, I'm not comparing Byron to Gretzky, on anything other than breakaways.

I think you missed my point.

[N-E-B]

Byron is the most overrated Flame IMO. That said, I do think he can be an effective player in the NHL on a lower caliber team. If he was a bit bigger he'd be the perfect energy guy.

For me, he's a place holder until a young guy is ready to take his spot. I was glad we brought him back for this season but next year I don't think I'd lose any sleep if we let him go.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Byron is the most overrated Flame IMO.

....this being posted in a thread that's dedicated to discussing whether Byron is even an NHL player or not. Riiiight

[doctajones428]

So if someone can't bury 10 breakaways they have hands of stone?

Strange.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

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.

...and probably his IQ, versatility, dependability, and most certainly not in the same range of salary.

[DoubleF]

I think Byron is an NHL player. Whether he currently is the best choice to be on our roster vs sent to AHL or traded is a completely different discussion. Isn't 14 points on what he is paid, good? Wouldn't most other teams be laughing to the bank? Why aren't we? Is it purely due to the kids, or is there more?

One thought I had, with the desire and tenacity that Byron currently plays with, do you think he could retool himself to be similar to Fleury or MSL? I would want to see him at 180 lbs instead of the current 170 lbs I see him listed at before letting him go. I see MSL and Fleury are both listed as 180lb players.

Perhaps a question could be, would it be possible for Byron to continue to develop or is he done development? A guy like Byron doesn't seem like a type of guy to just roll over and accept he's not an NHL player. Didn't we release MSL at the age of 25? It wouldn't be fun to see Byron coming at us in the future like MSL did in '04.

I'd consider giving him another 1 year league minimum type deal and ask him to bulk up another 10 lbs in a similar style to Colborne and Monahan beginning of this season. I wouldn't want to let the guy go if he has such desire to be in the NHL. Could bite us hard.

[StrykerSteve]

I like Paul Byron. Some people put too much weight on goal scoring.

[bubbsy]

i agree.

byron is fast, decent defensively, and harder to play against than one would think given his size. He can slot into the bottom 2 lines pretty easily, and happy to see him on the flames at the moment.

Only reason i'd move him out is if our top 6 remains a small group in which case greater emphasis should be put on having a bottom 6 that is very tough to play against to help wear the opposition down.

[Stay Golden]

Byron plays fierce for a little player. Definitely has NHL speed in most games he is the quickest on the ice. Pretty decent passer and an effective on the PK. Good over all vision on the ice.
The only thing i can see is his lacking to finish off plays on breakaways, 2 on 1's and when he has been set up for a clear shot anywhere in the slot.
Is Byron a NHL calibre player yes of course is his lack of finishing off scoring chances at the NHL no but he probably leads the team by quite a bit in breakaways.
If Byron finished off even 25% of those chances not many would be complaining.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

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.

Several. However, Corsi doesn't really work at the individual level for comparing players on different teams. It really only works for comparing team to team or individuals on the same team.

Also, context matters. The Oilers are a great example of this, actually. The top player on their team by CF%? Leon Draisaitl at 52.1%. But that makes sense because the Oilers almost exclusively started him in offensive situations (79.2% zone starts - he actually started about 44% offensive, 44% neutral, 11% defensive). That really exemplifies how awful Draisaitl was. Eakins gave him the easiest assignments possible, and he still failed to produce.

Paul Byron, in contrast, is starts in the defensive zone more often than not (41.6% zone starts - 26% offensive, 37% neutral, 37% defensive). He does a lot of things well, but his lack of finish is going to be a considerable limiting factor on his career. The guy would be an all-star if he buried half his great chances. As it is, he's really falling into the role of defensive specialist/energy guy.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

If, If, If....

History always repeats and we've had a lot of Paul Byrons in this organization over our history. None that I can recall, suddenly 'got it' and learned how to bury pucks off scoring chances created by their speed.

It has always been very frustrating to watch these types of players, but it reminds, or should remind people how difficult it is to bury 20 pucks into a net, season after season.

Another player that is benefitting from rebuild hockey in cowtown, but as soon as there are expectations placed on this team, he will have to produce or he will have to go.

[Robbob]

I think he is an NHL player but I also think that other players in our system are starting to develop and on the verge of passing him. No slight to him, just a numbers game. I don't think he is back next year.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Drew Shore may spell the end of Paul Byron. Shore plays in that same strata as Byron and the Flames are not going to risk losing a player to waivers they just acquired. The next best option, if they can't work a trade out to move out one of the 4th liners or under-performing 3rd liners, is to waive Byron. The risk and impact of losing him is pretty small, if you'll pardon the pun.

[DoubleF]

If we move Byron, I doubt we waive. I'm more inclined to believe he would be a sweetener to a trade. Guy deserves to stay in the NHL.