Player Discussion Bowen Byram - LHD (4th OA 2019 - Trade with Avs 3-6-2024) 22 YO - Signed Thru 2024-25 $3.85 Million Cap Hit (RFA)

[HogtownSabresfan]

We have essentially to the end of next season to figure it out. His current deal expires after next season. Then he has only 2 RFA years left

He’s also Arb eligible and has far more leverage than Power, who got 8mil per. You’re delusional if you think he wont get at least 7mil on a mid to long term deal.

My mistake if he had 40 roster days in 2020-21 and also 2021-22. But even so, we still have him on a decent contract next year with two more RFA years. Power gave up UFA tears to get to that $8 million -- the length of the deal matters. With two years RFA control, the Sabres do have some comfort.

That was a great get by the Sabres. I honestly do not understand some people who don't like it. We need to do it; our prospect depth is tilted too heavily forward. This deal had to happen. The heavy LD, well, I guess that is a coaching call.

It was barely two years ago that Casey didn't look like much. I loved his game, and his puck protection had improved immensely, but he was expendable.

I'd rather have him on the PP than Okposo

Okposo on PP is why Granato needs to be fired.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Okposo on PP is why Granato needs to be fired.

ironically, Okposo on the PP is one of the only decisions that I agree with. He’s been more consistent than most other forwards in the PP this season. But I think it’s more than I just dislike the other players a lot with regards to consistency

 

[Gras]

ironically, Okposo on the PP is one of the only decisions that I agree with. He’s been more consistent than most other forwards in the PP this season. But I think it’s more than I just dislike the other players a lot with regards to consistency

KO and Greenway, only ones that will go to the front of the net, and stay there.

 

[Fjordy]

Huge risk

 

[Club]

Huge risk

With huge reward

Welcome to Buffalo

Btw I read on instagram that Donnie said he will be paired with Dahlin.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Avs fan here and I hate this trade. I never wanted Toews re-upped.

Buffalo are becoming my favorite team.

Any room for a new guy on your boards ?

Don’t do that to yourself.

 

[tsujimoto74]

That seems like either a hell of a demotion for Dahlin or a train wreck waiting to happen for the Sabres. Byram's metrics this season have been pretty terrible.

 

[ForsbergMoDo21]

So he needs talented forwards in front of him to be his best? About that..

And I’ve read multiple Avs fans talk about him being overshadowed and needing to be “the guy” to bring out his best game. Slotting him behind two 1st overall defensemen should work out great if that’s the case.

Whatever. Best of luck to him. My animosity isn’t for the player.

 

[Willgamesh]

So he needs talented forwards in front of him to be his best? About that..

And I’ve read multiple Avs fans talk about him being overshadowed and needing to be “the guy” to bring out his best game. Slotting him behind two 1st overall defensemen should work out great if that’s the case.

Whatever. Best of luck to him. My animosity isn’t for the player.

He won't be behind Dahlin and Power, Donny said he will partner with Dahlin.

 

[HaNotsri]

He won't be behind Dahlin and Power, Donny said he will partner with Dahlin.

Apparently he didn't play well with Makar. This just feels like sub-optimizing Dahlin. "Hey Rasmus! We traded your bestie for an anchor, enjoy!"

 

[Uberpecker]

Another left-handed puck-mover who needs PP time in order to shine. Why? Apparently, Kevÿn isn't gonna stop until he has built a team that exclusively consists of skilled soft wingers and offensive-minded LHD.
He is kind of the new Darcy with less success.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

That seems like either a hell of a demotion for Dahlin or a train wreck waiting to happen for the Sabres. Byram's metrics this season have been pretty terrible.

Adams wanted to pair Byram with a defensively sound veteran so the former could do his thing on offense.

Oh, hang on. Wasn't that Power? It's all so confusing.

So this is the lineup we'll see tonight?

Byram-Dahlin
Power-Jokiharju
Johnson-Clifton
Bryson
EJ

 

[Jim Bob]

Gotta think that Adams asked EJ about him before making the deal.

With the questions about concussions and fit, I hope that he works out. But, this is definitely a big swing by Adams that is not a lock to work out long term.

But, he does have a lot of talent and I could imagine him working well with Dahlin. If he stays healthy, this definitely can be a deal that works out well for both teams.

 

[TageGod]

Maybe they are looking to build a defense first, drive offense through D system long term so the forwards can play a simpler more structured style. Too much east west leads to too many turnovers for us.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

ironically, Okposo on the PP is one of the only decisions that I agree with. He’s been more consistent than most other forwards in the PP this season. But I think it’s more than I just dislike the other players a lot with regards to consistency

He is willing to crash the net and other guys won't. We are horrible at entries and he doesn't help there.

 

[Jim Bob]

Another left-handed puck-mover who needs PP time in order to shine. Why? Apparently, Kevÿn isn't gonna stop until he has built a team that exclusively consists of skilled soft wingers and offensive-minded LHD.
He is kind of the new Darcy with less success.

Byram does not need PP TOI to thrive.

When healthy, he was good in Colorado with Makar getting the bulk of the Avs PP TOI.

Byram was averaging a couple of seconds more per game at ES than Makar this year.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Wow this thread is already pretty toxic

 

[Mattilaus]

Wow this thread is already pretty toxic

What comments make you say that?

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Regardless, the vibes will remain damnit!

He looks like the villain in a made for TV drama about an unplanned teenage pregnancy.

 

[joshjull]

People here forget linear isn’t development. Byram is extremely high potential player who is young and has shown significant stretches of being a very good defensmen in this league.

He’s a huge acquisition. But the same people are also acting like Power and Cozens are crap. These are all very talented players who are still developing.

Losing Mitts sucks, but discounting Byram because he’s having rough stretch is just silly

Great post. Byrum is a very talent kid with a ton of upside and, as you’ve mentioned, has already been pretty good at times. Now it’s about helping him get consistency in his game.

 

[Kaizer]

You'll love Byram. Yes, he slacks in regular season from time to time (compared to when he's one fire) but he also elevates his game to the next level when it matters the most:
- Last minutes of WJC final in PK to protect the lead? Sure.
- 26 minutes total with 10 minutes in 3rd period of Game 6 of Stanley Cup Finals? No problem. I doubt there're many defensemen of the same age who can handle such pressure well.

IMO, the only reason why he became available was pure luck on Avs side - getting Toews for 2 2nd round picks, then further development of Toews into a true top-pair defenseman and then, finally, when Toews signed team friendly deal. I always thought that Byram will replace Toews after Devon signs for 9M+ p.a. on free market, but it is what it is.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Huge risk

What is the huge risk? Trying to see what it is really? People act like Casey Mittelstaedt is Perreault or something. At the beginning of last year, people saw him as a spare part after his 2021-22 year. Good for him; for about 100+ games, he has been very and his ability to protect the puck is solid. But what we essentially owned was two of his RFA years which probably would have been $6 M plus. We got a very good d-man with upside who is at a good cap next and still has two years of RFA left (that's I see people saying) so we got an extra year, We need more D. The kid is actually having a good year with 8 goals and 12 assists.

The D for next year looks very strong with Dahlin/Power/Samuellson/Byram, Jokiharj/Clifton/Johnson. That is a young group of seven with a lot of talent.

I can't say Granato is my man, but geezuz, that is a lot to work for any coach. This issue might be keeping this unit together. We are 7 deep with good quality D-man. We got put out a very good top 4, and frankly, our third pair will not be two guys we have to hide for 10 minutes a game.

Are there other flaws with team? For sure. No one can take a faceoff, the PP cannot set up, we need some bigger guys up front to grind out a game, who are not ancient fossils like Okposo. Who is the back up goalie?

But I like our D now. A lot.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

If this happened last season, fans on here would’ve loved this trade. If the GM had a coherent vision for the team, fans would probably be loving this trade too.

In a vacuum, this trade makes a lot of sense. I knew Casey was leaving, and I knew Byram was probably the best we were going to get, value-wise. But it’s hard for me to be super positive about anything when the team just keeps getting younger and younger and the GM just doesn’t seem to get it.

 

[Fjordy]

What is the huge risk? Trying to see what it is really? People act like Casey Mittelstaedt is Perreault or something. At the beginning of last year, people saw him as a spare part after his 2021-22 year. Good for him; for about 100+ games, he has been very and his ability to protect the puck is solid. But what we essentially owned was two of his RFA years which probably would have been $6 M plus. We got a very good d-man with upside who is at a good cap next and still has two years of RFA left (that's I see people saying) so we got an extra year, We need more D. The kid is actually having a good year with 8 goals and 12 assists.

The D for next year looks very strong with Dahlin/Power/Samuellson/Byram, Jokiharj/Clifton/Johnson. That is a young group of seven with a lot of talent.

I can't say Granato is my man, but geezuz, that is a lot to work for any coach. This issue might be keeping this unit together. We are 7 deep with good quality D-man. We got put out a very good top 4, and frankly, our third pair will not be two guys we have to hide for 10 minutes a game.

Are there other flaws with team? For sure. No one can take a faceoff, the PP cannot set up, we need some bigger guys up front to grind out a game, who are not ancient fossils like Okposo. Who is the back up goalie?

But I like our D now. A lot.

In that Byram has already suffered a lot from concussions and is having a bad season, while Mittelstadt has been productive as of late. Also, Byram is not a defensive D, plus he LD, so yes, I see the risk here and I don't really like this trade. It doesn’t matter what kind of defense we have by name if the coach is bad and no one will fire him after the season.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

In that Byram has already suffered a lot from concussions and is having a bad season, while Mittelstadt has been productive as of late. Also, Byram is not a defensive D, plus he LD, so yes, I see the risk here and I don't really like this trade. It doesn’t matter what kind of defense we have by name if the coach is bad and no one will fire him after the season.

How is Byram having a bad season? He is on pace for 12 goals and 18 assists and doesn't even play big minutes or get much PP time. Mittelstaedt is having a good season but hardly a 1st line guy. He's been playing at this level for less than 100 games but keep telling me about the risk.