How long is the leash on Byron?

[Iggy Snipe]

Byron and Bouma had good games last night. Everyone keeps labelling Byron as a 4th liner? He plays all over the place, and has been all season. Usually he is playing 3rd line minutes. With Glencross and Hudler being out, he had top line minutes last night and got PP time. He looked good, and I think some peoples expectations of him are not high enough.

Some posters are saying what he is doing is already enough, or he is on pace for what we expect out of him. Saying his PK contributions and his "effort night in and night out" is enough. That is an expectation for every pro athlete. You show up and bust your **s off, and somewhere along the way you have to be a contributor.

He has the potential to be a great consistent 3rd line player in the NHL, with potential to be a second unit PP guy as well. His speed alone is his best asset and he can be dangerous player if he could either start scoring or become a better playmaker. He just needs to start finding a way to put the puck in. He can be a 20 goal guy one day, and the Flames need scoring from all lines to be successful, which is why we can not settle for less.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

I hadn't noticed Byron through the first 2 periods and I'm still not sure how he got credit for Raymond's work/goal (tip?).

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

I hadn't noticed Byron through the first 2 periods and I'm still not sure how he got credit for Raymond's work/goal (tip?).

It hit the shaft of his stick

[shogged]

i have no problem with byron out there hitting posts or missing breakaways which he seems to do at least once a game of late. those kind of plays help drive momentum, especially at home. byron got the dome rocking tonight and the team responded with a big win.

[crapshoot]

Thought Byron was great again tonight. He will start burying his chances eventually.

[FlameZilla]

Byron featured in a Hockey News blog today:

http://m.thn.com/blog/why-paul-byron...or-the-flames/

[FBI]

I think sports writers need to incorporate advanced stats in their articles just a little bit more.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FBI

I think sports writers need to incorporate advanced stats in their articles just a little bit more.

It's funny how baffled they all seem to be with Calgary. And how little they seem to know about injuries to guys like Backlund.

[genetic_phreek]

That's totally great praise for Byron. Also, great advanced stats especially for those who judge him on his breakaway percentage.

[Badgers Nose]

Byron is remarkable. Better linemates would make him an assist machine. He needs a finisher.

[Roof-Daddy]

Nice to see Byron get some well deserved positive recognition.

IMO an awesome depth guy to have and legitimately makes the team better. Also is still fairly green and has room to grow.

[FlameZilla]

My ideal shutdown line would be Bouma - Backlund - Byron. I don't think the Kings would have been able to cope with that combo of speed and jam. Wolf (or Bollig) - Jooris - Colborne is a great energy line built along similar principles.

Byron has played his way onto the longterm blueprint of the team. Ideal utility forward, and he doesn't lose a step if he sits in the pressbox now and then. Can play any forward position and makes his linemates better. What's not to like? (Ok – breakaway technique could use some tweaking!!)

[Badgers Nose]

Breakaway technique is all mental. He will get over it.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Breakaway technique is all mental. He will get over it.

His reach limits his deking ability somewhat (which is why he should shoot a bit IMO.) He will probably never manage a Peter Forsberg move.

[Brewmaster]

That hockey news article seems like it was written by someone that only looks at the stats and doesn't really watch the Flames play. Just not sure how much I agree with this quote:

He’s not going to wow anyone with displays of pure skill or find himself on the highlight reel often, if ever. That’s not Byron’s game. His game is that of a sound defensive winger, and he’s played the role to near perfection this season for the Flames.

With all the breakaways this year I would say he's found himself on the highlight reel a fair bit, despite his lack of finish. His real value is his speed and tenacity which the article doesn't even mention. He plays about 2" and 30 lbs heavier than he actually is, almost like a less talented and less chippy version of Theo Fleury. Maybe I'm wrong, but I see him as more of a spark plug than a shut down defender.

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

That hockey news article seems like it was written by someone that only looks at the stats and doesn't really watch the Flames play. Just not sure how much I agree with this quote:



With all the breakaways this year I would say he's found himself on the highlight reel a fair bit, despite his lack of finish. His real value is his speed and tenacity which the article doesn't even mention. He plays about 2" and 30 lbs heavier than he actually is, almost like a less talented and less chippy version of Theo Fleury. Maybe I'm wrong, but I see him as more of a spark plug than a shut down defender.

He is defensively sound - Hartley and staff trust him to play late minutes and in OT.

You're right though Hartley himself described him as energy guy too.

Maybe think of him as a defensively sound spark plug.

[chubeyr1]

I love Byron but he is what he is. I will argue with people that say he is a 1st 2nd or 3rd line forward. Just cause the coach plays him there due to injury does not make him suited for the position. Ok, maybe one can argue 3rd line.

We all know his offense is not coming anytime soon, as in never. No he is not young enough to figure it out, yes he has had bad luck on breakaways. Everyone is dying for more offense from the guy, its not coming anytime soon.

Defensively, he uses his speed great, his downside is his size. Dont get me wrong he plays really big, still though physics do apply.

He is an excellent 13th forward, I hope we resign him as insurance. Let our prospects beat him out of a job. Everyone should be cool with that right? Yet lets not argue about his offensive skill. He is another Mathew Lombardi Oleg Sapyrikin Shawn Donovan Marcus Nilson and the list goes on. All fast skaters that could not find there offensive games. They all lacked vision. Yet they all had NHL careers and were useful players.

I like Byron, he is a useful player.

[killer_carlson]

I have no objections if Byron is the 13th forward.

BTW, any word on if he has been busting out extra practice on his breakaway moves?