Confirmed with Link: Hawks aquire Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway for 4th overall, 45th overall, and Crevier

[Beukeboom Fan]

The price was a little higher than I thought it would be, but thats the value of the player.

I'm in exactly that same boat.

The thing that I have reconciled personally is that "I'm not a GM, and don't really know what the CURRENT market value is for picks or players!" What the trade values were during the flat cap from 2021-2024 aren't relevant right now when the cap is going up, and essentially no difference makers making it to free agency. The also factor in that there are probably at least 20-30 teams actively trying to get better (range based on your definition of "actively"), and only 2-3 teams who are selling across the board at this point in time. That combination of factors impact the market, and I think that there is enough reporting to feel confident that while the price was higher than expected - it's current market value. I can understand if you feel that KD shouldn't have paid that price and stay on course with the rebuild, but the Hawks significantly upgreaded the roster while still having amongst the deepest prospect pool in the league, and a boatload of draft capital in upcoming drafts.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Now I'm seeing the doomer morons declare Crevier was Chara 2.0. I cant take these people seriously...

Byram hitting his ceiling already while Crevier still having plenty of room to grow and can hit a Chara like upside was my favorite take from Jimmy 2 Beers.

Nevermind that Crevier is literally older than Byram lmao

 

[hockeydoug]

The only reason Crevier stings is because now that KD is done with big moves he's scraping through the dumpster for bottom pair help since he somehow wiped out an organizational strength of blueline prospect depth by year 5 of a rebuild.

If the rest of the defense last year wasn't so inept offensively, nobody would have really noticed Crevier with the puck and they would have paid more attention to him off of it, because it's still not pretty.

 

[statswatcher]

What an absolutely pointless waste of time this argument is. lol

oh, my bad, could you direct me to the part of the website where we're being productive with our time?

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

BWC and most posters or media guys gave no thoughts to Crevier as a possible riser last offseason.

I know because he was against adding a Vet 7 d and kept penciling Crevier there. Crevier had a good year and had rising potential, but why did those who see it now not see it then? I have no patience for phony outrage merchants that gave zero interest or concern about him before this trade. I dont think he really has another major level but can fit into a system as a 4 sure.

I tmemever telling people stop disrespecting him even CHGO was writing him off.

I kept penciling him in under assumption Rinzel would be here fulltime (As was plan by GM at time with his end to season) and that until Murphy was traded Crevier would have to be odd man out

As you recall I wanted Murphy traded all offseason last year and all during the season so Creiver as odd man out was just to be temporary in my thinking

 

[Crow]

I am going to be laughing in agony if Malhotra or Stenberg are on the board at 4th oa (the guys the Hawks brass were targeting)

Who traded first? Hawks or Sharks?

 

[Paul Allen]

It’s funny how so many are clamoring on about how Byram isn’t a 1D. Let’s save that for January at the earliest.

It’s akin to saying a guy won’t be a playoff performer when he hasn’t played in the playoffs yet.

If Bo turns out to be only a 3D, and/or this 4th overall or Crevier become a HoFer,all of us supporting the trade will delightfully eat crow.

 

[Space umpire]

I kept penciling him in under assumption Rinzel would be here fulltime (As was plan by GM at time with his end to season) and that until Murphy was traded Crevier would have to be odd man out

As you recall I wanted Murphy traded all offseason last year and all during the season so Creiver as odd man out was just to be temporary in my thinking

Yet just yesterday you named him on the top pairing.

 

[Dead Meat]

I’m starting to get on board based on beating San Jose to Byram. Drafting a D would’ve been fun but I also understand the need to get better before next season and they’re definitely better today. Waiting another two years minimum to see Reid/Carels or whoever just to make the NHL would’ve been painful. I’m assuming the second round picks will be used for defense projects - it feels weird being a current day Hawk fan and not being excited for the draft.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

I’m starting to get on board based on beating San Jose to Byram. Drafting a D would’ve been fun but I also understand the need to get better before next season and they’re definitely better today. Waiting another two years minimum to see Reid/Carels or whoever just to make the NHL would’ve been painful. I’m assuming the second round picks will be used for defense projects - it feels weird being a current day Hawk fan and not being excited for the draft.

wouldnt be surprised if their initial bucket approach strategy at defense in round 2 now becomes move back up into rd 1 as high as possible for their favorite forward

 

[Dead Meat]

It’s funny how so many are clamoring on about how Byram isn’t a 1D. Let’s save that for January at the earliest.

He was behind legit studs in Colorado and Buffalo (Makar, Toews, Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson) - he put up solid points without being the go to guy on the PK.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Yet just yesterday you named him on the top pairing.

He was our best RD last year and only option in top RD spot given Lev and Rinzel major D issues

What defender may I ask is going to cover for the poor defense of our "Elite #1 D" here? Buffalo had a guy to do that the Hawks have no one

If Bryam plays RD then we are again stuck with Vlasic trying to be a top pairing guy when he isn't and struggles in that role. Byram playing #1 LD puts Vlasic in proper role as a 2nd pairing LD

If we flip Kaiser to play RD and pair him with Byram it leaves a mess of 2nd/3rd pairings as you end up with 3 kids who as of now need vet to cover for them but only have Vlasic for that role

Vlasic-Rinzel
Korchinski-Lev

Vlasic-Lev
Korchinski-Lev

So Hawks have not solved any issue on D as of now (Since you know Byram has far from proven to be elite #1D that Davidson says he is) and moving Crevier created yet another problem not only was he our best RD option and now we are left with two kids who struggled in the playing defense part of game (Which is pretty important)

If Plan is to bring in trash like Trouba or Ferraro (Both want multi-year expensive deals) this sets Hawks up for a disaster on blueline going forward

 

[Paul Allen]

He was behind legit studs in Colorado and Buffalo (Makar, Toews, Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson) - he put up solid points without being the go to guy on the PK.

Exactly. I doubt Schaefer did what he did this year stuck behind Makar and Toews.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

the fan base is super angry over the deal...

It’s not though. You are, and some jokers on Twitter are. That’s not the entire fan base.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

Allegedly.

Byram's agent would want that leaked to drive up the price
KD would want that leaked knowing there would be backlash.

Seems plausible but we're kidding ourselves if we think more than a fraction of these types of reports aren't deliberate "leaks".

Okay. So we all just decide to stop believing the information that’s being reported? What’s the point of even following any hockey media or doing anything but watching the games?

 

[AmericanDream]

It’s funny how so many are clamoring on about how Byram isn’t a 1D. Let’s save that for January at the earliest.

It’s akin to saying a guy won’t be a playoff performer when he hasn’t played in the playoffs yet.

If Bo turns out to be only a 3D, and/or this 4th overall or Crevier become a HoFer,all of us supporting the trade will delightfully eat crow.

I like most others here have said the price was high. Optics didnt look great at the time of the trade as 4th overall picks dont get moved a ton.

Then you start to dig a bit deeper on Byram and the situation. Hawks knew they were getting a dman at 4. They also knew they have to start making moves so they got the best available dman at that time who they view as elite who hasnt even had the full chance to prove it...without waiting 2-3 years to get an impactful return.

Then you see how many 1st round picks have been tossed around already and for who...Eklund, Nemec, Samoskevich, etc..and you start to realize some GMs dont view this draft that great or would rather have the guaranteed player vs waiting years for the unknown.

I dont have an issue with anyone thinking the Hawks overpaid or Byram isnt a legit #1, however it is asinine to compare him to others have have been a #1 for years AND prior to him even putting a Hawks jersey on.

If KD and staff are right, they landed a legit #1 for half the price...if they are wrong he likely is getting Dubas his coffee in 2 years. Willing to have it play out before hyperventilating either way.

 

[Dead Meat]

Last season Buffalo almost paid a shitload to get Parayko who’s 32…Radim Mrtka who was 9th overall in 2025 and their 2026 first round pick. Parayko rejected it because of his no trade.

 

[perin]

I'm in exactly that same boat.

The thing that I have reconciled personally is that "I'm not a GM, and don't really know what the CURRENT market value is for picks or players!" What the trade values were during the flat cap from 2021-2024 aren't relevant right now when the cap is going up, and essentially no difference makers making it to free agency. The also factor in that there are probably at least 20-30 teams actively trying to get better (range based on your definition of "actively"), and only 2-3 teams who are selling across the board at this point in time. That combination of factors impact the market, and I think that there is enough reporting to feel confident that while the price was higher than expected - it's current market value. I can understand if you feel that KD shouldn't have paid that price and stay on course with the rebuild, but the Hawks significantly upgreaded the roster while still having amongst the deepest prospect pool in the league, and a boatload of draft capital in upcoming drafts

I fully agree with this

 

[jaysoneil]

Only a third of all top 10 defensive draft picks end up playing 500+ games.

Byram is at 328.

Byram is also younger than Vlassic, who only has 260 GP.

Whoever they picked at 4OA this year wouldn't be NHL ready for a couple years. At that point, Bedard is in his 6-8th season.

Some of you guys need to relax.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Only a third of all top 10 defensive draft picks end up playing 500+ games.

Byram is at 328.

Byram is also younger than Vlassic, who only has 260 GP.

Whoever they picked at 4OA this year wouldn't be NHL ready for a couple years. At that point, Bedard is in his 6-8th season.

Some of you guys need to relax.

Seravalli said something like 11/16 4 OA picks have basically been washes...didnt look at the list but like Frank said in the segment, this isn't the NFL where a 4th OA pick is stepping into your lineup day one and certainly not a guarantee to hit

 

[Kevin Musto]

Seravalli said something like 11/16 4 OA picks have basically been washes...didnt look at the list but like Frank said in the segment, this isn't the NFL where a 4th OA pick is stepping into your lineup day one and certainly not a guarantee to hit

Ryan Johansen
Adam Larsson
Griffin Reinhart (oof)
Seth Jones
Sam Bennett
Mitch Marner
Jesse Puljujarvi (oof)
Cale Makar
Brady Tkachuk
Bowen Byram (GOAT)
Lucas Raymond
Luke Hughes
Shane Wright (oof)
Will Smith
Cayden Lindstrom (oof)
Caleb Desnoyers

A couple big hits in there like Makar... but overall not very exciting

 

[crazyhawk]

Only a third of all top 10 defensive draft picks end up playing 500+ games.

Byram is at 328.

Byram is also younger than Vlassic, who only has 260 GP.

Whoever they picked at 4OA this year wouldn't be NHL ready for a couple years. At that point, Bedard is in his 6-8th season.

Some of you guys need to relax.

I think Smits could have slid right into the lineup at 3LD to start and potentially be our 1LD by 2027

 

[Hawkaholic]

a middling or average 1D, yeah. i think dobson showed more reason to believe he could be that before he was traded. i also still maintain we gave up more value for byram.

Value does change from year to year too. This year, prices are higher, more major trades are being made and more teams are involved and trying to be competitive.

The value is similar, and imo, Byram is a better Dman, or at least as good as Dobson. And another young Dman was traded, who Byram is clearly better than, Simon Nemec and he has far bigger question marks than Byram. He returned 2 1sts (could be low 10s, could be 30s, Avs and Vegas could take steps back next year).

 

[hockeydoug]

Okay. So we all just decide to stop believing the information that’s being reported? What’s the point of even following any hockey media or doing anything but watching the games?

From the media guys scared to death of losing access, absolutely they shouldn't be trusted for accuracy about trade and contract rumors. The agents and front offices feed them info to put out, there aren't alot of legitimate leaks since that's a career killer for staff. This isn't new, most sports franchises have been fairly media savvy since ESPN put on the Ocho.

If it's from the gm's mouth or an official mouthpiece for an org, I think it's fair to say it's accurate. If it's something about a "maybe" trade or anything that could pump the market value on a player, hell no.

 

[hockeydoug]

If KD and staff are right, they landed a legit #1 for half the price...if they are wrong he likely is getting Dubas his coffee in 2 years. Willing to have it play out before hyperventilating either way.

I'm worried they're just slowing down figuring out what Lev or Rinzel will be whether they're right or wrong about bb. Part of the cost of that acquisition.