Don't think it was a fluke either. When you have that sort of speed along with decent hands and are willing to crash the net, you're bound to get good looks.
I'm a big fan of his. Loved the pickup before he even played a game. Hes just a very exciting player to watch. Low maintenance sort of guy too which the coaches love. Solid defensively and on a great contract. Can play with anyone. Calgary must be kicking themselves.
I'm also expecting good things again from Lord Byron, but it will depend on where he falls in on the team's depth chart.
If Julien uses him higher in the lineup more often the not, he'll get close to 20 goals again.
If Bergevin adds further top-6 depth up the middle with the remaining Cap space and futures, the team's depth at wing will likely see Byron slide down in the lineup, with less TOI, playing with lesser offensive line mates in the process.
Otherwise, for Byron to be nearer to 20 goals, he'll have to play on a third line with a more offensive mission, albeit under a more defensive coach. That's uncertain.
There will also be pressure to play Byron lower in the bottom-6 because of the 1.167M salary and higher salaries for players like Shaw (3.9M).
I'd be happy if Byron scores 15 playing up and down the lineup. 20 would be great for him -- and us -- provided that it doesn't happen as a result of Byron getting the TOI of underperforming players to do it.
If a potential 30-goal scorer ends up scoring 18Gs after losing ice time because of poor performances and Byron gets 20 goals instead of 15 by benefitting from those minutes, the team won't be much further ahead.
It's not unlike Weise, Moen or some other supporting staff player getting career years because they are playing on the first line and 1st PP wave when they, if your top-6 players are producing to their potential, really shouldn't be playing such a role.
