Detroit Red Wings: What Fans Need To Know For the 2019 NHL Draft

If The Red Wings get the chance, they should scoop up Bowen Byram with the sixth overall pick. Getting Byram with the sixth overall pick should be considered a steal since he should most likely be selected fourth or fifth overall.

Bowen Byram is the best defenseman in this draft class and could develop into something special for the Detroit Red Wings franchise. Byram comes from the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he scored seventy-one points through sixty-seven games. His seventy-one points came in the form of twenty-six goals and forty-five assists, alongside a plus thirty-three rating on the season.

During the WHL playoffs, Byram scored twenty-six points through twenty-two games. Byram had eight goals, eighteen assists, and was a solid plus ten in the 2019 WHL Playoffs. His point production and offense is not the only thing that makes him a great selection, especially if he falls to sixth overall, scouting reports should have all Detroit Red Wings fans plenty excited for his future if he falls.

Byram does not possess the simple scoring ability, Byram should excite teams with his ability to be creative in the offensive zone, shift the momentum by making smart decisions with the puck, defensive prowess, and elite skating ability that helps on all areas of the ice. Byram is a true two-way defender who does a great job of limiting options in the defensive zone.

Perhaps the best asset to Byram’s skills is his ability to read and adjust to turnovers, being able to use turnover to create a scoring chance, clear the puck from the zone, or start an offensive play in the neutral zone should be attractive for any NHL franchise looking for a solid defenseman.