Canadian: Paul Byron, expensive Swiss army sword

Claude Julian used the word depth to describe the 2020-2021 edition of the Canadian. For the third day in a row at camp, the head coach spoke about depth on Wednesday to succeed with a very condensed schedule.

Read also – New health measures: Canadian and QMJHL not escaped

Also read: Similarities to the Blues

Also read: Josh Anderson is amazed at his speed

“With 56 games in 116 days, we need depth,” said the CH head coach. I don’t care who plays in the starting lineup. I focused more on whether we had enough players for the whole season. This factor is what we are looking at. We have five lines that can be played in the NHL without taking a single player out. This is an encouraging sign. “

Five good lines is one thing. But we also need to find a way to respect the salary cap. Since the camp began, Ryan Pohling has been joined by veterans Michael Frolick and Corey Perry in the middle of the fifth line.

Jake Evans, who patrols the fourth row with Paul Byron and Arthuri Lehkonen. During his daily videoconference with reporters, Julian answered a question about the fate that awaits Byron.

Important winger

At a salary of 3.4 million over the next three seasons, Byron is pulling a huge deal. Since both Perry and Frolick agreed to a one-year, 50,000 750,000 deal, many reporters have been ulated over the future of “T-Paul” with CH.

Mark Bergewin may get a bigger salary in case of departure, but GM can save a few dollars by occasionally placing him on the reserve team (Taxi Squad). The risk of losing him to one of the remaining 30 teams is very low due to his salary and the remaining years in his contract.

For Julian, the possibility of removing Byron from training was not a reality.

“This conversation did not take place around us,” he replied. People outside may think he is in danger. But Byron is like a Swiss Army sword. He can go up in the trio, he brings speed. He has so many strengths, he is a tough guy to find. In our entourage, we do not conduct the same discussion outside. “

Byron, 31, scored 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in just 29 games last year. For the past two years, Ontarion has been unlucky with injuries to his knee, wrist and forearm.

In health, he scored 20 goals in 2017-18 and 22 goals in 2018-19.

Same character

At the Bubble in Toronto, Byron regained his strength with 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and a +4 record in 10 games. Next season, Julian hopes to see the good face of his assistant captain again.

“I don’t see a reason to give him a different role. He can still do it. His game hasn’t changed, his speed is the same. He’s healthy now. I’m skating him, I don’t see any concern.”

The first match

Julian and Bergwin will see their team’s potential at first glance during Thursday’s intra-team match performance. CH is played over three periods of 15 minutes.

To get closer to the reality of the actual match, Julian Pierre Allard and two fitness managers ask Patrick Delisley-Houd to play the role of referee.