Colorado Avalanche are closing in on trading for their former first-round draft pick
Photo credit: (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
The Colorado Avalanche have been connected to their former top-4 NHL Draft selection, Bowen Byram.
Byram was selected fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft. He played four seasons with Colorado before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres in March of 2024 in exchange for Casey Mittlestadt.
Colorado Avalanche are closing in on trading for their former first-round draft pick.
Graham Tiedtke from Mile High Sticking writes that Byram's name has frequently come up in trade rumours over the past few weeks. Statistically, his value has never been higher, having tallied 38 points this season with the Sabres. Typically, that kind of performance suggests the player would continue progressing. However, there is one significant concern that has already been raised.
"Byram's inability (minus last season) to play in most games is a huge concern for me. It's not even just about his availability to the team. It's the concern about his concussion history. While one might think that avoiding a trade for Byram is all about protecting the team (not taking a risk), let's take a look back at a quote from Byram's dad years ago when he was still with the Avalanche." -Tiedtke
«I can't do it. I can't play and feel like this.» - Bo Byram to his parents in 2022.
Given Byram's concussion history, Tiedtke highly suggests that the Avalanche should stay away from the talented defenceman.
"If the Avalanche were willing to try again with Byram, I would hope that they would keep an eye on his minutes per game. Would it be a cool story to reunite with Byram? Sure. Maybe his concussion history is behind him, as he did play in all 82 games this past season." -Tiedtke
There's no doubt that with the addition to Byram, alongside Cale Makar and Devon Toews, the Avalanche defensive core would be among the best in the NHL.
"However, if it were up to me, I would not consider bringing him back. Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes. There are things that are out of your control, including injuries. It would make hardly any sense for Colorado to explore a reunion with their former top-4 overall pick." -Tiedtke
Stay tuned for more information.
| POLL | ||
MAI 25 | 37 ANSWERS Colorado Avalanche are closing in on trading for their former first-round draft pick Do you think the Avalanche should trade for their former first-round pick Bowen Byram? | ||
| yes | 21 | 56.8 % |
| no | 16 | 43.2 % |
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