Meh. I like the penalty minutes, though.Byram finished with 2 assists and 8 PIMs yesterday. For his first three WHL games through the weekend: 3 GP, 5 A, 0 G, -2, 10 PIMs.
I've been griping about what another WHL season for Byram offensively, as he's good enough to pull things off at that level that he won't be doing in the NHL, so I have doubts that this season will do too much good for his NHL-offense...and may even develop some bad habits that he'll need to later break...but hopefully he can polish his defensive game further, down there.
But yeah, I'm right there with everyone wishing that Loveland or the NCAA had been an option for him, or that he had gone to europe / we had stretched out his 9-games-played until close to the WJC...letting him practice against NHLers everyday and watch the action up close, so that when he was eventually sent back down he had a much clearer understanding of what he needs to improve upon to be better prepared for the NHL next summer.
They should just introduce an exemption that allows one junior aged player a season per organization to play in the AHL. Most teams wouldn't even need to use the exemption most seasons and the CHL would still have plenty of talent on their rosters.
The CHL gets to grant 15 year olds exceptional status if they think they've outgrown minor midget. They should allow the same for those that have outgrown the CHL.
It really isn't an issue 99% of the time. The CHL is a perfectly fine development league for high end prospects, even if I'm sure Vegas would have liked to send Glass to the AHL for example if they could have. Most of the time there's room to grow there, Byram's just one of those unlucky few who are stuck in between.Just curious. Is this CHL issue something that comes up frequently? I can't remember many other examples of players like Byram that are so far ahead of the CHL but aren't quite NHL ready.
One puts butts in (CHL-)seats, the other loses them...
Yeah but CHL teams did benefit from putting extra butts in the seats with McDavid, Tavares, Ekblad, etc. Not just the teams that had them, but all the teams they played on the road as well.
Plenty of AHL teams would like to put a few more butts in the seats too.
I'm fine with Byram spending the year in junior but the CHL is pretty hypocritical on this issue. They just want all the rules to benefit them.
Yeah but CHL teams did benefit from putting extra butts in the seats with McDavid, Tavares, Ekblad, etc. Not just the teams that had them, but all the teams they played on the road as well.
Plenty of AHL teams would like to put a few more butts in the seats too.
I'm fine with Byram spending the year in junior but the CHL is pretty hypocritical on this issue. They just want all the rules to benefit them.
Or you know the league that is producing talent and enables these kids to grow wants to also benefit from them. There is nothing hypocritical about trying to run a profitable business while providing an invaluable service to the NHL. If you go and take a look at the major junior teams, plenty struggle financially, so every little bit helps. Keeping draft +1 players in the league helps to keep the league afloat.
As for the whole "Byram is too good" narrative some are pushing here, just come off it already. He is not too good for the WHL. The first three games are proof enough. Yes he scored plenty of points and he pushes the play, but he let other teams get under his skin, took dumb penalties and in general looked shaky at times. He will be well served with another year there.
If Byram was picked by the Sens, perhaps he would still be in the NHL. A rare situation of a top-5 pick going to a playoff team.
Ehh...going to a foreign country with language barriers as an 18 year old might hinder development as well.
Sounds like he still has some things to learn.
Or it would be a great place to learn and grow as a human being. Many people in Europe speak english fluently and with the medley of nationalities on a sports team I wouldnt be surprised if most coaches and teammates default to it as well. Doubt it is an issue.Ehh...going to a foreign country with language barriers as an 18 year old might hinder development as well.
True Suisse might not be a haven for 19 year old boys, but I can't think of any other place I would want to spend a season of hockey developing against men. The country is small (less travel than in the Dub), beautiful (beats those prairie blizzard bus drives), and love their sports (ultras). Plus you get to experience an entirely new culture which he's also used to since he was born in a mountain town.Ehh...going to a foreign country with language barriers as an 18 year old might hinder development as well.
I think this is a pretty good take. But I could use what you are saying to make the argument that that's the exact reason why he has outgrown the WHL. He needs to learn a man's game, running around being the best offensive threat for his junior team isn't teaching him anything in becoming a more rounded player.Byram hasn't outgrown the CHL, but I don't think the Giants have a coaching staff that will be conducive to his development. Makar could've skated circles in the NCAA the moment he joined, but instead the coaching staff made him play a simple, defensively-sound game until he was polished enough to let him off his leash. Byram needs similar treatment, but that definitely won't happen with the Giants, as the way Byram currently plays is better for the teams and the fans.