Byram vs Power - Who are you keeping long-term?

[GASabresIUFAN]

They are only a year apart age wise.  Both were top prospects.  Adams gave Power the big (and undeserved) contract, but only bridged Byram.  Within a year or two one of the them is getting replaced by the younger and cheaper Mrtka.  

Byram has 3g 6a for 9 pts in 19 games with a -4. He has 7 pts at EV including all 3 goals with 2 PP assists.  25 BLKs and 14 Hits.

Power has 2g 5a for 7 pts in 18 games with a -8.  He has 5 pts at EV including both goals, zero PP points, but 2 SH assists.  The SH assists are a positive surprise.  16 BLKs and 9 Hits.  

As I wrote above I don’t think the Sabres will keep both long-term.  Both are good assets that can be moved to help other areas of need like top 6 forwards or goaltending.  Contract wise Byram is the one likely to be moved, but IMHO his play is outstripping Power.  Both are pretty even offensively, but Byram seems to bring more defensively and is obviously the more engaged player physically.  Power still seems to easy for opponents to skate around.  

An interesting development for both players is a substantial increase in PK time.  Power is being utilized more on the PK, but both are being used each game especially recently.  

So who are you keeping? Who do you think is the better?

Edited 1 hour ago by GASabresIUFAN

[bob_sauve28]

9 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

They are only a year apart age wise.  Both were top prospects.  Adams gave Power the big (and undeserved) contract, but only bridged Byram.  Within a year or two one of the them is getting replaced by the younger and cheaper Mrtka.  

Byram has 3g 6a for 9 pts in 19 games with a -4. He has 7 pts at EV including all 3 goals with 2 PP assists.  25 BLKs and 14 Hits.

Power has 2g 5a for 7 pts in 18 games with a -8.  He has 5 pts at EV including both goals, zero PP points, but 2 SH assists.  The SH assists are a positive surprise.  16 BLKs and 9 Hits.  

As I wrote above I don’t think the Sabres will keep both long-term.  Both are good assets that can be moved to help other areas of need like top 6 forwards or goaltending.  Contract wise Byram is the one likely to be moved, but IMHO his play is outstripping Power.  Both are pretty even offensively, but Byram seems to be more defensively and is obviously the more engaged player physically.  Power still seems to easy for opponents to skate around.  

An interesting development for both players is a substantial increase in PK time.  Power is being utilized more on the PK, but both are being used each game especially recently.  

So who are you keeping? Who do you think is the better?

I love Bo but he is gone after this contract is up. He could of signed long term here but probably wants to go someplace where he is the main guy on PP. 

 

Power will just get better and his deal will look great in a few years 

[CTJoe]

Not sure why you can't keep both but, Byram is the obvious choice and always has been. Cap is going up significantly each year for the forseable future

[Mr Peabody]

If one must go, You trade whoever gives the best return. 

[French Collection]

I like Byram better. Better skater, more physical and a better shooter.

Power has regressed. He may bounce back but his defensive game is really weak. Teams are not afraid to dump it in his corner or stand in front of the net. Some extended time on the 3rd pairing and focusing on PK could be his wake up call.

Both of these guys realize they will never be the guy on this team, find your lane and excel in that role.

[GASabresIUFAN]

28 minutes ago, CTJoe said:

Not sure why you can't keep both but, Byram is the obvious choice and always has been. Cap is going up significantly each year for the forseable future

So you want the Lobster and the Cracked Crab?

I think the answer to your question comes down to usage and opportunity and this is where Byram's contract comes in.  I don't think Bowen wants to play 3rd fiddle to Power and Dahlin long-term.  

After next season Byram's contract is up, but he is still an RFA.  I suspect his agent will try to force a trade out of town.  

Edited 1 hour ago by GASabresIUFAN

[Broken Ankles]

Can we trade both?  Half joking, half serious.  Ras is the only D that we have seen that truly affects play.  These two are higher priced, elite JAGs.  If we can get a top 3 and another Defensive D man, I’d be open.  If I had to keep one it’s Power, only bc the contract certainty.  $8.25m will look like a bargain in a few. 

[Taro T]

10 minutes ago, French Collection said:

I like Byram better. Better skater, more physical and a better shooter.

Power has regressed. He may bounce back but his defensive game is really weak. Teams are not afraid to dump it in his corner or stand in front of the net. Some extended time on the 3rd pairing and focusing on PK could be his wake up call.

Both of these guys realize they will never be the guy on this team, find your lane and excel in that role.

IF they can find a partner that works for/with Byram (besides Dahlin), would expect LT getting an extension on him and trading Power when/if necessary would be the better play.  And maybe now Timmons can be that guy; they played very well together yesterday but were absolute trash in Detroit together; didn't pay that close attention to the matchups they were getting but 1 game being home and the other being on the road say that matchups could've been a huge factor in that.

If not, keep Power.  Byram's highs have been better than Power's, but his lows have been even worse.  And there's a bigger risk of getting bad Byram than getting bad Power IMHO because his play seems to be so partner dependent.

Though with the cap going up as much as it will soon, and with Byram showing he ISN'T a 1 or a 2, not completely convinced they can't keep them both.  Mrkta will be on an entry level contract for 3 years when he finally arrives; Muel is locked up for a while and being a defensive 1st guy won't likely be getting much of a raise.  Timmons is what he is.  The only wildcards salary wise are Kesselring and Byram himself but Byram keeps playing himself to lesser deals down the road.  That could change, and hopefully they do find a guy he works with very well (again, besidee Dahlin) but hasn't so far.

Edited 1 hour ago by Taro T

[Pimlach]

Byram is playing better than Power IMO. 

Byram is faster and can log a lot of minutes. Even though he is smaller than Power he is much more fiesty.  

The illusion of Owen Power is still there though.  

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 minute ago, Pimlach said:

Byram is playing better than Power IMO. 

Byram is faster and can log a lot of minutes. Even though he is smaller than Power he is much more fiesty.  

The illusion of Owen Power is still there though.  

I generally agree here, but I'd say to Power's credit there has been some steps forward this season.  He is a little more willing to take the body and has definitely shown an increased willingness to block shots.  I also like how Lindy is using his size and reach to clog passing lanes on the PK.  He is still terrible 5 on 5 defensively where he is more easily caught out of position than on the PK.  

As to why we shouldn't keep both, Samuelsson is playing his way to being Dahlin long-term partner.  However that leaves Power and Byram to anchor the 2nd and 3rd pairings.  I don't see the Sabres wanting to pay 8+ a season for a 3rd pairing D long-term.