Prospect Info: 4th Overall, Bowen Byram, Defence

[Balthazar]

I think I wanted Dach in the end, but am overly happy with this pick.

Same here. Now hoping Dach won't turn into a 6'4 90pts 1C.

 

[AvsRobin]

Hawks fans are so pissed that they took Dach

 

[Duodenum]

You guys will win a cup with both Byram and Makar in that dcorps. Elite dmen are hard to find and you guys are about to have two.

 

[S E P H]

I really hate when TheLastWord sports steals these threads away from the real fans for clickbait money grabs. Seriously, your site deserves to be banned.

You know, I am quite happy with this pick. Will there be better players picked after him? Absolutely in my mind, however, he provides a unique skill set where he's able to provide offence from the backend, but also can shutdown opponents. As I said in the past he can make the NHL next season, but he will probably be primarily a shutdown defender (for the next couple of years). Remember he is an opportunist defender and these type of lads need a lot of seasoning and learning from mistakes. Most importantly timing will be his biggest issues as he's going to play against smarter players and ones who will outskate him as well. There is still a lot to like here, he was one of the hardest players to breakdown on the forecheque and that should go along ways when he gets to his prime.

Welcome Byram to Colorado and can't wait to cheer you on! I don't trust Button's opinion about him, but I hope his scouting eye is accurate on this one!

 

[Spleenless Wonder21]

Same here. Now hoping Dach won't turn into a 6'4 90pts 1C.

Chicagos’ luck has to run out eventually, right...right? Peter, talk to me!

 

[5280]

 

[Joe Sakic]

Understand Dach is a great player but honestly...I'd rather have Byram over Dach /no bias

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Who is better defensively, Byram or Makar?

Coming out of junior, definitely Byram.

But, I think Makar proved himself very capable defensively in the playoffs. Long term, I’m not concerned about either defensively.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Same here. Now hoping Dach won't turn into a 6'4 90pts 1C.

Well at least we didn’t have the chance to pass on him.

 

[Patagonia]

Byram has a cockiness to be better. A strong compete level. Dach is more reserved. He has incredible talent, but his compete level is not the same.

Maybe Dach has a better career, but Byram has the greater potential.

 

[Cappuccino]

With the Kings picking Turcotte and the Wings picking Seider, which one of them was hoping more the Avs would pass on Byram?

 

[Cappuccino]

Understand Dach is a great player but honestly...I'd rather have Byram over Dach /no bias

It wasn't even an option anymore. I guess the Avs wanted Byram, or do you think they would have picked Dach if he were available?

 

[Balthazar]

With the Kings picking Turcotte and the Wings picking Seider, which one of them was hoping more the Avs would pass on Byram?

I wonder how hard the Wings tried to trade up. Everyone knew they needed D. Since Byram was our pick there was no hope.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Ive talked to many NHL scouts and they all considered Byram the most NHL ready dman in the WHL this season.. as a 17 year old that hadn't even been drafted yet

This kid is the real deal... he is going to blow you away at camp when you see him

I know many fans wished they got a forward at 4, but he was BY FAR the right choice....

Plus you got Newhook with the next pick. IMO you guys won day 1 hands down

 

[Cappuccino]

I wonder how hard the Wings tried to trade up. Everyone knew they needed D. Since Byram was our pick there was no hope.

I guess all of the three (Chicago, AVS and La) wanted Turcotte, Dach, Byram. Like you said, little hope to trade up for the Wings.

 

[klozge]

You guys will win a cup with both Byram and Makar in that dcorps. Elite dmen are hard to find and you guys are about to have two.

Potentially three even

 

[Ivan13]

Very happy with this.

 

[CameronNeely]

Look. This was truly a very smart long term pick. Two high end o-minded D-men is something that is nearly impossible to acquire from the market, without sacrificing something else. And boy it will be a killer pairing for opponents. Not to mention they may even get more out of that mediocre offence (1st line of course not mediocre). It is relatively easy to fill in those stable stay at home d-men with later picks or some trades. Having a strong D-core is where it all starts. Behind McK with some sheltering and "learning from his example" Avs might even grow Alex Newhook to new unpredictable hights.. Love it Joe!!

 

[MessierII]

Steal. I watch a lot of WHL hockey and he’s the most dominant d at his age I have seen. Unbelievable talent.

 

[Gabe the Babe]

Exactly right.

We may have just drafted our top pairing for the next 8-10 years...

To be fair. They’re 18 and 20. I think 8 is conservative. More like the top pairing for the next 12-14 years, maybe longer

 

[klozge]

How relaxed he was in his post-draft media scrum... I like that a lot.

 

[McMetal]

Remember when we were hoping to get a top 4 LHD out of the Duchene trade, and fans were telling us no way? Now we have two.

 

[Ivan13]

Remember when we were hoping to get a top 4 LHD out of the Duchene trade, and fans were telling us no way? Now we have two.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Hawks fans are so pissed that they took Dach

And rightly so. I'd have been very disappointed and nervous about Dach in the system.

 

[Patagonia]

I loved Turcotte and so glad they got Byram.

AVs wanted a 2C and LHD in the 1st round. It was a gamble but the drop off from 4th to 16th in Forwards is less significant compared to DMen.

Still incredible they not only got both high end prospects, but they still have 3 picks in the next 2 rounds to add some Wingers and a Goalie.