f*** yes, i have been so excited for this to finally get started.
I seriously dont know who to go with at #1.... Even after the draft I was totally convinced Makar is head and shoulders above Byram and everyone else.
But I have watched quite a bit of footage on Byram in the last week or so and I am completely enamored with his skill set. I think the people who dont see high offensive upside in him are selling him quite a bit short. He doesn't bring the same type of offensive game as what Makar does but that doesn't mean he cant be an elite offensive guy in a different way. I think he is a tonne like Brent Burns where he just loves to have the puck on his stick and has a really dangerous shot, not super hard like Burns shot, but very accurate and a very deceptive release that in the WHL was constantly causing trouble for goalies, hence his 34 goals last year as a Dman.
Where Makar makes his offense from being an elite skater with elite edgework and the ability to maneuver around guys quickly, I think Byram will make his offense from having such a fantastic and quick release combined with a very accurate shot. Dont get me wrong Makar has a really good shot as well, and Byram is a great skater with some solid edgework as well, but Makar is a little better at that while Byram has the better shot IMO.
I dunno.... I actually think Byram could pan out better. But I truly think they both have Top 10 Dmen in the league kind of upside and if they form a pairing together who knows what they could accomplish.
I'm gonna stick with Makar by the slightest of margins perhaps because he's a tad older and closer to realizing that full potential, but this is so close for me. And it is truly a gift given to us as fans from Joe Sakic to have both of these kids that cant even drink alcohol in Denver legally yet on our back end.
EDIT: I'll say add Bowers I think