"I Like Paul Byron"

[Calgary4LIfe]

Though I have my doubts, I don't think you can write Byron off completely from having a long-term future with the Flames. He does not have a long-term future if he remains what he is today - a great stop-gap that gives this team a bit more speed and energy, and is able to put up a few points. However, he may very well continue to improve. I think Byron is very skilled, and will continue to improve yet in the NHL - question is how much so. He may very well end up being a mainstay in the top 6 even after the Flames are finished rebuilding - maybe!

I had written him off as soon as the trade happened, and I have continued to write him off in the last couple of years. Without a doubt, however, he has progressed and seems to still be progressing. He is a difficult player to project in terms of where he peaks at. I bet Burke re-signs him for one more season at least.

[stemit14]

I think the value in Byron is that he is a skilled player that doesn't have to be in the top six. He brings so much speed and forecheck with his game that he can be a guy who moves up or down the line up but is still effective. Plus he brings a lot to the penalty kill. He's gotten stronger on the puck and uses his speed effectively to be an NHLer. I contrast him with someone like baertschi who I believe can only be effective as a top six forward... And I still believe he will be.

Also, I want the flames to build a team based on depth... Not just depending on one or two stars to out score the other team. Boston, St.Louis, Chicago, and LA roll all four lines and have effective depth players. That's what I want the flames to be in 2-3 years... guys like Byron, bouma, and colborne can be those kind of depth players. At the end of this rebuild, I don't want our 4th line only playing 4 minutes a night. That's not what the best teams in the league do... The best teams in the league have a good enough fourth line that they get a regular shift and they contribute enough to the team to earn that shift.

The good news is that the flames are already starting to develop that identity and to collect depth players like Byron, bouma, colborne, and even mcgrattan.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I had written him off as soon as the trade happened, and I have continued to write him off in the last couple of years. Without a doubt, however, he has progressed and seems to still be progressing. He is a difficult player to project in terms of where he peaks at. I bet Burke re-signs him for one more season at least.

I didn't like the trade (obviously) but I can't think of a callup where I thought Byron wasn't impressive.

[Stupid]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I think the value in Byron is that he is a skilled player that doesn't have to be in the top six. He brings so much speed and forecheck with his game that he can be a guy who moves up or down the line up but is still effective. Plus he brings a lot to the penalty kill. He's gotten stronger on the puck and uses his speed effectively to be an NHLer. I contrast him with someone like baertschi who I believe can only be effective as a top six forward... And I still believe he will be.

Also, I want the flames to build a team based on depth... Not just depending on one or two stars to out score the other team. Boston, St.Louis, Chicago, and LA roll all four lines and have effective depth players. That's what I want the flames to be in 2-3 years... guys like Byron, bouma, and colborne can be those kind of depth players. At the end of this rebuild, I don't want our 4th line only playing 4 minutes a night. That's not what the best teams in the league do... The best teams in the league have a good enough fourth line that they get a regular shift and they contribute enough to the team to earn that shift.

The good news is that the flames are already starting to develop that identity and to collect depth players like Byron, bouma, colborne, and even mcgrattan.

I don't have a link but I remember Burke saying that while in Anaheim his cupwinning team's success was in a significant part due to his bottom lines. I hope he's doing the same with Byron and the other guys you mentioned as well.

[flamesfever]

I'm starting to see the same thing in Byron as I saw in Martin St. Louis as a Flame. His speed, hockey IQ and ability to make things happen when he's on the ice, is starting to become obvious.

In no way should we let him go to another team.

[$ven27]

He's a decent player. But Paul Byron as the next MSL? c'mon now people.

[jg13]

Last 12GP
4G, 4A, 8PTs
+10

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I'm starting to see the same thing in Byron as I saw in Martin St. Louis as a Flame. His speed, hockey IQ and ability to make things happen when he's on the ice, is starting to become obvious.

In no way should we let him go to another team.

flamesfever never said he is the next MSL. Just made a comparisson between attributes and ability at an early stage in both players careers.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by jg13

Last 12GP
4G, 4A, 8PTs
+10

St. Louis last 12 GP: 0G 4A 4P

Byron>>>St. Louis

QED

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by evman150

St. Louis last 12 GP: 0G 4A 4P

Byron>>>St. Louis

QED

Yes, but I believe Brian was using MSL mainly on the 4th line, whereas Hartley has enough confidence in Byron to use him on the top 6. It wasn't until TB took a chance on MSL and used him on their top line, that they realized what they had. MSL has often said his experience on the Flames greatly improved his defensive game.

IMO Byron's defensive ability, as illustrated by his +/-, along with his offensive capability, clearly illustrates he is ready for top 6 minutes.

He is starting to become a favourite for many fans, and I think Calgary needs all the help it can, in this regard, to maintain the attendance during this rebuild. Therefore to trade him, in order to satisfy Burke's attempt to make the team bigger, may backfire.

[flamesfever]

Also, Calgary has a long history of being either blessed or screwed by small players.

For example, it was Fleury who was instrumental in helping us get through the "six years in the wilderness" period. His play was often the only thing to look forward to.

On the other side, it was MSL who prevented us from winning the SC in '04. I'm sure most recall his overtime goal in game 6 of the SCF... and to think we once owned him.

I recall the two being measured for height one time and I think there was only 1/2 an inch difference.

[Muta]

Byron's speed last night was ridiculous. I was at the game, and while it wasn't Byron's best, he was dictating the flow of the play with his speed and creating chances with his tenacity and hockey sense. My girlfriend, who knows nothing about hockey, asked me who that 'little firecracker' on the ice was, lol.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

He is a spark plug out there that's for sure. He's a 200 ft. player with surprising talent and tenacity that will surprise you in all situations and the obvious game changing speed. I don't know if he's marty skilled but he's a serviceable nhl'er. Butler is also not a disappointment lately, so another decent move by our ex uncle feaster.

I remember that hit he layed on phaneuf that has that awesome image of him smashing right through him. I knew as soon as I saw that, his size and his scouting reports from Gatineau. He had serious character with solid production. It was always a question of how and now he's showing it. He's healthy and has an opportunity, the way he's playing, if he stays healthy like all players he'll have a nice career as a utility player unless he turns up his production to another level. Which over the last 12 games he has been, hopefully its a sign of things to come. A better character, less productive Theo Fleury would be a great find.

[stemit14]

I was at the game too and was blown away by the speed Byron has... It is incredible to watch. Teams seem to really struggle with it.

There was one play where he was behind the goal line in the flames end with the puck and he reversed it to the other side of the net to the flames D-man... The D-man quickly made a hard slap pass up to cammalleri who was at the sharks' blueline. As the the defender approached cammalleri he put the puck towards the net where Byron picked it up and had a nice scoring chance... Byron practically outpaced the puck up the ice from behind the net!! Me and the guys next to me were all kind of shocked cause we had been watching the puck and couldn't believe how Byron made from one end of the ice to the other that fast!

[calgarywinning]

I will attest to his amazing speed! It was incredible last night!!!!

[FlameZilla]

I had more or less written Byron off this season. He's opened my eyes to the possibility that he could have a future on this team. I don't think he's at all skilled enough to be a top 6 forward, but he's a speedy threat from the 3rd line who plays a great defensive game.

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I was at the game too and was blown away by the speed Byron has... It is incredible to watch. Teams seem to really struggle with it.

There was one play where he was behind the goal line in the flames end with the puck and he reversed it to the other side of the net to the flames D-man... The D-man quickly made a hard slap pass up to cammalleri who was at the sharks' blueline. As the the defender approached cammalleri he put the puck towards the net where Byron picked it up and had a nice scoring chance... Byron practically outpaced the puck up the ice from behind the net!! Me and the guys next to me were all kind of shocked cause we had been watching the puck and couldn't believe how Byron made from one end of the ice to the other that fast!

I remember watching this exact play you described so well - in the GT thread I commented that he had a 200ft game. Couldn't believe how he got on the end of the Cammalleri pass - thought he had teleported himself to the other end of the rink!

[Squirt]

I still like Paul Byron!

[Rerun]

Me too.

His on-ice play is way more than the fact that he's snake bitten when it comes to scoring. If everybody on the team put in as much effort as Paul, we'd be in the top 3 in our division instead of chasing a wild card spot.