LD Bowen Byram - Vancouver Giants, WHL (2019, 4th, COL)

[Daximus]

I think with a good Memorial Cup performance, Byram has an excellent shot at locking in being picked 3rd/4th and no lower. I also don't see him being able to go any higher than that though for obvious reasons.

Not being a standout at the Hlinka probably hurt him. Only international tournament he played at.

 

[Polar Bear]

Not being a standout at the Hlinka probably hurt him. Only international tournament he played at.

Well, more so the fact for me that Kakko/Hughes are simply on another level, but I'm excited to see if Byram can lock in that 3rd position.

 

[Daximus]

Well, more so the fact for me that Kakko/Hughes are simply on another level, but I'm excited to see if Byram can lock in that 3rd position.

I think it's hard for some people to quantify just exactly what Byram is doing. Breaking records as Hughes at the NDTP or Kakko in Liiga is impressive but when you consider what Byram is doing it's damn impressive in it's own right.

Byram isn't breaking Troy Mick's 63 goal, 147 point season as a defencemen. Or Jim Bennings 139 point season as a draft eligible defencemen. Those records are staying put for the foreseeable future. I think Byram gets underrated because he can't have those record breaking seasons, it's just not possible in today's WHL. And if he did he'd be so far above Hughes and Kakko that people would be talking about him as far exceeding Dahlin as the best defencemen of the current generation. We'd be talking Orr levels of defender if he managed to put up those kind of numbers in today's WHL. But the fact that he is within 10-15 spots of some of those guys in today's WHL on a team that wasn't expected to be this good yet is a testament to the impact he has had in the WHL.

 

[newfy]

I think hes probably going to LA or Detroit. I think he can be a number one dman but Turcotte seems to have traction at number 3 and a return from mono straight to the u18s isnt going to change that. I also see the Avs taking a forward they can hopefully get to play center on the second line. Teams shouldnt draft for need but a good 2 way center on the Avs second line would make them a cup contender with the D and top line they already have. Hughes and Kakko are going 1/2.

A real wild card for this situation is Podkolzin. I think LA could see him as a guy that they can take their time with and rebuild for a couple more years before he comes over. People are down on him because of his u18 but its come out that he was hurt and playing through injury. NHL teams will know this I'm sure so itll be interesting to see what happens there. I dont think theres much chance he makes it past Detroit because they were basically all in on a dman before Zadina fell last year. I'm sure this year will be no different.

Byram overall I would say has a 20-30% chance of going top 4 and closer to 70-80% chance of going 5/6. I would put him at almost 0 of going lower than that though.

 

[Polar Bear]

I rate Byram higher than Turoctte, but given his Illinois' connection, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Chicago pick the latter over the former.

 

[mratch19]

I would be shocked if he makes it past 3. Chicago moving so many spots will see this as a real opportunity for their team and future. I like turcotte, but I think they go with a potential Keith replacement as a 1a defenceman. Although they have up and coming talent at D, and gustafsson is finally showing his stuff. They cement there D future with third overall and take Bowen Byram.

Especially after watching Carolina this playoffs! Such great D depth and continuous injuries.. I dont think you can have too many top D prospects. So much value there!!!

 

[crazyhawk]

Nice to see some feedback on Byram. It's going to be interesting come the draft. I can see the Hawks going for a C but man picking Byram 3OA could go miles towards solidifying the Hawk D for years to come.
I get giddy thinking of a top pairing of Byram and Boqvist!
The Hawks probably won't be getting such a high pick for a fair while so a lot of pressure to hit on this one!

 

[kmwtrucks]

I hope Chicago takes him or someone gives up a lot to trade down 2-5 spots. we have Joki, boquist and Mitchell as RD prospects and beaudin as LD of all of those guys are smaller players. Bowen and Joki could be a pairing next year IMO. Also its so hard to find D either in trade or UFA market. Forwards are so much easier.

 

[Kaners PPGs]

I rate Byram higher than Turoctte, but given his Illinois' connection, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Chicago pick the latter over the former.

If the Hawks take Turcotte it is because the Hawks rate him higher than Byram and others. The “Illinois Connection” is very overrated.

 

[Kevin Musto]

If the Hawks take Turcotte it is because the Hawks rate him higher than Byram and others. The “Illinois Connection” is very overrated.

For real. Stan Bowman doesn't give a f*** about the Illinois connection. Maybe he takes it into consideration when drafting in the 5th round or later. Certainly not when you're picking 3rd overall.

 

[barabas21]

I think it's hard for some people to quantify just exactly what Byram is doing. Breaking records as Hughes at the NDTP or Kakko in Liiga is impressive but when you consider what Byram is doing it's damn impressive in it's own right.

Byram isn't breaking Troy Mick's 63 goal, 147 point season as a defencemen. Or Jim Bennings 139 point season as a draft eligible defencemen. Those records are staying put for the foreseeable future. I think Byram gets underrated because he can't have those record breaking seasons, it's just not possible in today's WHL. And if he did he'd be so far above Hughes and Kakko that people would be talking about him as far exceeding Dahlin as the best defencemen of the current generation. We'd be talking Orr levels of defender if he managed to put up those kind of numbers in today's WHL. But the fact that he is within 10-15 spots of some of those guys in today's WHL on a team that wasn't expected to be this good yet is a testament to the impact he has had in the WHL.

Just a small correction. Troy Mick was not a defenseman in the WHL. He may have been one as a pro but definitely a winger in Junior. The record holder for most points in a year as a defenseman in the WHL was Cam Plante for the Brandon Wheat Kings his stat line being 22-118-140.

 

[Daximus]

Just a small correction. Troy Mick was not a defenseman in the WHL. He may have been one as a pro but definitely a winger in Junior. The record holder for most points in a year as a defenseman in the WHL was Cam Plante for the Brandon Wheat Kings his stat line being 22-118-140.

Interesting.. they have him listed as the single season record holder on Elite Prospects for WHL defencemen.

 

[newfy]

If the Hawks take Turcotte it is because the Hawks rate him higher than Byram and others. The “Illinois Connection” is very overrated.

I do kinda wonder if they have them rated the same if it could play any role at all in who they draft. Like I wonder if teams think taking a kid from his home state could lead to them taking a home town discount in the future. I think it might make a small difference but hardly much of one. Things like team need would become more important obviously.

 

[razor ray]

Chicago would be absolutely loaded at D if they take Byram. Just need to find a future #1 goalie and some Center depth.

 

[barabas21]

Interesting.. they have him listed as the single season record holder on Elite Prospects for WHL defencemen.

Here is the WHL record book WHL Record Book – WHL Network

On another note the record for most goals in a season by a defenseman is 50 by Lawrence Sarechuk in 71-72. To me that is absurd.

 

[lawrence]

Is Turcotte even a hawks fan? We recently drafted a player named William Lockwood who is born in Michigan but he is actually a Canuck fan and not a red wings fan as we would naturally believe. Ryan Kesler also born in Michigan and guess what his favourite team growing up was. A Minnesota North stars fan I kid you not.

I think blackhawks would be crazy to pass up on byram, now I’ve never seen Turcotte live, even if he does become a top centremen Byram is going to be a top dman. that holds a lot of value. Those type of players can control the game, I’m sure hawks fans know this first hand from watching Keith all these years.

 

[BK]

I rate Byram higher than Turoctte, but given his Illinois' connection, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Chicago pick the latter over the former.

Chicago connection will have nothing to do with the pick at 3.

 

[Rick C137]

If you wanna talk about a Chicago connection...

 

[Kevin Musto]

Is Turcotte even a hawks fan? We recently drafted a player named William Lockwood who is born in Michigan but he is actually a Canuck fan and not a red wings fan as we would naturally believe. Ryan Kesler also born in Michigan and guess what his favourite team growing up was. A Minnesota North stars fan I kid you not.

I think blackhawks would be crazy to pass up on byram, now I’ve never seen Turcotte live, even if he does become a top centremen Byram is going to be a top dman. that holds a lot of value. Those type of players can control the game, I’m sure hawks fans know this first hand from watching Keith all these years.

Ironically Byram is a Hawks fan

 

[EbonyRaptor]

My pick would be Byram with Turcotte being a close second. Originally I wanted Turcotte or Cozens and not Byram because the Hawks top two picks last year (Boqvist and Beaudin, both 1st round) and top two picks the year before (Jokiharju and Mitchell, 1st and 2nd round respectively) were all d-men and all are offensive PMD type d-men. My feeling was enough d-men already - get a stud center with the #3 pick.

But then I watched some WHL game highlights and I saw something that Byram has that those other d-prospects don't have - he plays physically and with an edge. It doesn't look like he plays reckless or goes out of his way to make a hit but he takes it when it presents itself and that combined with his obvious offensive game convinced me he has the potential to be a #1 d-man.

But that's just this fan's opinion. I trust Stan and the Hawks scouts to select a very good player at #3 - it's a no lose proposition.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Chicago would be absolutely loaded at D if they take Byram. Just need to find a future #1 goalie and some Center depth.

I actually think Gravel could be a #1 goalie. Of course goalies are impossible to predict.

As for center depth, Strome still has the upside to be a 1C, Toews is still playing good hockey, Kurashev has 2C upside and Barratt has 3C upside. Jake Wise is good too if he can remain healthy.

Basically it's not that dire. Of course the more options the better.

 

[avsfan09]

I think hes probably going to LA or Detroit. I think he can be a number one dman but Turcotte seems to have traction at number 3 and a return from mono straight to the u18s isnt going to change that. I also see the Avs taking a forward they can hopefully get to play center on the second line. Teams shouldnt draft for need but a good 2 way center on the Avs second line would make them a cup contender with the D and top line they already have. Hughes and Kakko are going 1/2.

A real wild card for this situation is Podkolzin. I think LA could see him as a guy that they can take their time with and rebuild for a couple more years before he comes over. People are down on him because of his u18 but its come out that he was hurt and playing through injury. NHL teams will know this I'm sure so itll be interesting to see what happens there. I dont think theres much chance he makes it past Detroit because they were basically all in on a dman before Zadina fell last year. I'm sure this year will be no different.

Byram overall I would say has a 20-30% chance of going top 4 and closer to 70-80% chance of going 5/6. I would put him at almost 0 of going lower than that though.

With the Avs I think they could also trade futures and prospects for a 2C. With an outside shot of Barrie aswell.
Byram and Makar as a 1st pair would be dirty. The only centers I'd be happy with over Byram would be Dach, Turcotte and possibly Zegras.

 

[Kaners PPGs]

But then I watched some WHL game highlights and I saw something that Byram has that those other d-prospects don't have - he plays physically and with an edge. It doesn't look like he plays reckless or goes out of his way to make a hit but he takes it when it presents itself and that combined with his obvious offensive game convinced me he has the potential to be a #1 d-man.
.

Agreed. Physicality and size is lacking with all of the Hawks and D prospects. And while offense is Byram's calling card, he can lay a hit on someone in the playoffs when the physical play ramps up. I know people have been saying Byram and Boqvist but think about Byram and Jokiharju. You would have the offensive game of Byram with a more all-around partner in Jokiharju. Then you come back with Boqvist and Beaudin on the second pairing playing playing softer mathups. You have two pairings with hopefully elite offensive defensemen paired with an all-around partner.

 

[HawksDub89]

I actually think Gravel could be a #1 goalie. Of course goalies are impossible to predict.

As for center depth, Strome still has the upside to be a 1C, Toews is still playing good hockey, Kurashev has 2C upside and Barratt has 3C upside. Jake Wise is good too if he can remain healthy.

Basically it's not that dire. Of course the more options the better.

Your assessment of our center depth is pretty optimistic...

Strome a 1C? Not on a cup contender.

 

[newfy]

With the Avs I think they could also trade futures and prospects for a 2C. With an outside shot of Barrie aswell.
Byram and Makar as a 1st pair would be dirty. The only centers I'd be happy with over Byram would be Dach, Turcotte and possibly Zegras.

Yep very true and I'm not an Avs expert by any means, I just could see them taking one of those centers if they think theyre not far away from contributing. If they think Turcotte could step in and play as their 2C as early as next year or the year after I dont see them passing on him. If he doesnt do what they want early, he could be the guy used to trade to a team looking to get younger that has a center more in line with the Avs age group. Whereas I think drafting a D is less likely to give you a for sure player as a center at the top of the draft. The Avs dont look like they need more depth on D right now, but they definitely need more at center. A 4th overall pick of a center would make them a cup contender very quickly I think