Is Paul Byron a NHL calibre player

[Itse]

I don't even see the lack of points as such an issue. He's on pace for 25 points, a pretty typical number for a 3rd liner. Maybe a little on the low end of the scale.

My issue with Byron is mostly that he brings things that should not be that important to a good team. Setting an example of work ethic should not matter that much. A team should have it anyway. Beyond his work ethic he's pretty meh. Some good qualities sure, but certainly nothing special.

Especially when you're planning to be a playoff team I think guys like Byron are not what you need. Tenacity does not cut it when everybody is tenacious, you need actual size and actual skill.

Hence "niche player".

[Textcritic]

Byron is a stopgap, and exactly what this team needs at the moment, and possibly for another season as well. Ideally, he will have a place in the Flames' lineup until he is pushed out by a prospect. That hasn't really happened yet.

[CsInMyBlood]

Paul Byron is the type of guy that teams need to win. Third/fourth line energy, two way forward that kills penalties.

He is currently tied with Johnny Gaudreau for 9th in the league in takeaways. Difference is Johnny has 47 giveaways, where Byron has 18.

4th on the Flames in hits.

Makes 600K.

How can anyone that watches him play question if he is NHL calibre? What is not to like?

Quite frankly, any points that Byron puts up are simply a bonus.

[GioforPM]

If you want to know what Hartley thinks of Byron check out the OT winner last game and who was on the ice (and got an assist). And this was the first or second shift in OT, not when all the "good" players were tired.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

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.

Compare CF%RelTM. That compares players against their own team, which then makes it a little easier to compare players from different teams.

Byron: +3.5
Draisaitl: +3.7

Pretty close. But Draisaitl does have favorable zone starts as mentioned. If you adjust for zone starts:

Byron: +3.8
Draisaitl: +2.5

[bucksmasher]

IMO think he is and giving up now would be a mistake. He needs some big time work on his breakaway strategy. He gets too close to the goalie and is too small and short to deek around pads like Colborne can. IMO he needs to get shots away sooner and start going over gloves and blockers at a distance that negates his tiny wingspan. Maybe a summer of focusing on that aspect will change his point totals. Otherwise I love his compete level and speed, size be damned.

[hummdeedoo]

Easy for the average fan to miss what Byron's contributing. Not a big fan of the fancy stats but they do show things in this case as well the takeaways/giveaways. His puck pressuring is awesome - there have been a number of times that his forecheck has resulted in an opposition player making a poor pass that resulted in a turnover and Flames have capitalized - so no points on the stat sheet there but the coaches know what's going on.

Very good role player more like a 4th liner/depth guy if he sticks with the Flames.

[Red Menace]

There are 3-4 players of Byron's calibre on pretty much every team in the league....so yes...

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

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.

Thanks, that actually makes a lot of sense. The Corsi argument then for Byron sounds like it carries a lot of weight.

I appreciate the explanation.

[kehatch]

Its tough not to cheer for a little guy who plays hard and plays big. Clearly in terms of shot attempts he drives possession. The chart below shows his team mates Corsie differential with and without Byron on the ice.



Unfortunately things aren't so rosy when you look at actual production. When you look at the same graph but look at it with goal differential (number of goals for vs goals against) it looks like this.



Which is really his issue. Lots of shots. No finish.

He can survive as a fourth liner who can play on the PK. But I think over time we will find someone that fills that role more effectively. In terms of him being a top 9 forward, the results just aren't there.

[Fire]

I don't mind if Byron is still a Flame next season but they need to get rid of some of the glut of bottom two line players on this team.

[Red]

I remember when Marty St. Louis was a small plug with no finish on the Flames.
Fat chance, I know, but it would be comical if Byron was to find finish on another team.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Red

I remember when Marty St. Louis was a small plug with no finish on the Flames.
Fat chance, I know, but it would be comical if Byron was to find finish on another team.

That's not how I would describe that potential situation.

[genetic_phreek]

Sheesh so much hate for Byron. If he didn't create chances and had zero breakaways but still played with grit and speed, most people wouldn't be jumping on this kid.

Yes I get frustrated that he doesn't bury his breakaways but at least he gets them. He's also a great PK guy. He still contributes, not just getting points. Guys like him softens up the opposition defense by having them not get overly aggressive which creates more room for other players on his line.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

Sheesh so much hate for Byron. If he didn't create chances and had zero breakaways but still played with grit and speed, most people wouldn't be jumping on this kid.

Yes I get frustrated that he doesn't bury his breakaways but at least he gets them. He's also a great PK guy. He still contributes, not just getting points. Guys like him softens up the opposition defense by having them not get overly aggressive which creates more room for other players on his line.

I agree with you. If he actually was worse and didn't create opportunities, people wouldn't be upset at the lack of finish, they'd just be happy with what he brings.

That said, I do think Byron is an expendible part on this team. A bottom 6 player, who provides energy and speed. Thing being, I think the Flames have a lot of depth that is proving they are at least good enough to play bottom 6 in the system, and as a whole we are a pretty fast club, but also a small one.

Given I think the Flames have good speed through the line up, and unfortunately have some very key pieces who are small (Gaudreau and Hudler), I'm inclined to say they should part with Byron (get something back in return) and replace him with a larger body who can also play in the bottom 6.

[kehatch]

His bobble in front of the net tonight was a perfect example of Byron.

[Savvy27]

I thought Byron had his strongest game in a while tonight. Won a ton of battles and created some offensive momentum with his speed. When he plays like this he is very helpful.

[crapshoot]

Byron is good. Just rooting for him to score again soon. Against the Ducks would be a good a time as any.

[Muta]

This kid was flying tonight. He's been snakebitten offensively, but I love his game. Such heart.

[HotHotHeat]

He had 11:25 of ice time, was a -1 and had a giveaway.

He has to be the odd man out when Glencross is healthy. Although Glencross is a lazy bum so take your pick.