Byram 'Impresses' in Return to the Lineup

Bowen Byram is back.
The 20-year-old defenseman made his return to the lineup for the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in their 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, which officially punched the team's ticket to the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While warmly welcomed, Byram's path back into the lineup wasn't a linear trajectory nor was it a seamless journey. The 2019 fourth overall pick last dressed for the Avalanche on Jan. 10, which marked the most recent progression in his recovery after lingering effects from a head injury that he sustained back on Nov. 11. The process to his eventual return featured seven subsequent games where he drew back in the lineup for stints, but then was sidelined again due to not feeling 100-percent yet, as he detailed in a one-one-one conversation with Altitude Sports Radio play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey ahead of Tuesday's contest.

But through months of close monitoring, meticulous work with the Colorado training staff and a two-game conditioning stint with the Avalanche's AHL affiliate the Colorado Eagles, Byram was confident in his return on Tuesday night.
"That was a pretty impressive first game for not playing since January," Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said following Tuesday's game. "He was involved right away. He made some great plays on the defensive side of things, he blocked some shots, he was involved offensively, he played in the second unit power play.
"We don't play on easing him in," Bednar continued. "He went down and played a couple of games. He's been skating for a long time, he feels good. We've got to get him in the lineup, get him playing and see how he does."
Against a talented Pittsburgh squad which deployed four balanced and challenging lines, Byram had his work cut out for him. But during his 15:02 of ice time, the left-shot rose to the occasion. Byram skated alongside veteran d-man Erik Johnson, he logged 1:02 minutes on the power play, fired off one shot, threw three hits, took one penalty and blocked one shot.
"He looked great tonight," Nathan MacKinnon, who scored twice in the victory, said of Byram postgame. "[He Had] a lot of good passes, was jumping up into the play, had a great shot - he's really good at shooting and has a great shot - we needed that for sure. It's nice to see him."
Byram's return not only benefitted Colorado's blueline as Samuel Girard and Ryan Murray continue to miss time due to injury, but it provided a morale boost among his teammates who were ecstatic to see him back out on the ice and in the thick of the intensities of Tuesday's fierce competition.

"As soon as I showed up to the rink he was the first guy I was looking for," Alex Newhook said. "It's good to [have him back]. It put a smile on my face to see him out there. He looks great. He was definitely missed by all of the guys. It's great to have him back with us."
Tuesday was not just a positive step for Byram - who had produced 11 points (5G, 6A) through 18 games prior to his injury - but for the team as they became the first team in the league to reach 50 wins (50-14-6) while stringing together their fourth-straight win, extending their point steak to six games (5-0-1) and by punching their ticket to the postseason.
As the regular season continues to wind down and the Stanley Cup Playoffs eventually ramp up, the Avalanche will continue to lean on their depth and look to players like Byram down the stretch. Tuesday's game, while a small sample size, was a promising - and well-deserved - step in the right direction following the challenging circumstances he had faced in the months prior.
"It's not easy to just go back and play a couple of quick American League games and then jump in the lineup," Bednar said. "But he's worked hard at getting healthy. He's worked hard at getting in shape and staying in shape. It showed tonight. He's a talented guy. We missed him when he was gone and he certainly helped us tonight."