Bo Byram’s NHL learning curve is reminiscent of how quickly teammate Cale Makar fit in with the Avalanche two seasons ago. And make no mistake, that’s a rare development cycle.
Makar began his first full NHL season at age 20, and won the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year at 21. Byram, 20, has started the season so well he’s an early favorite to win the Calder around his 21st birthday in June.
Whether Byram does that or not, the Avs appear set for years to come with two dynamic, young end-to-end defensemen as their current top defensive pairing and cornerstones of the future.