For the last several years, it’s been difficult to mention the name Paul Byron without also bringing up the dreaded “r-word”: regression. Yet as we prepare to enter the 2018-19 season, the diminutive waiver pickup has clocked consecutive 20-goal seasons, without the benefit of power-play time, on a goal-starved Montreal Canadiens team.
Despite an “off” year of only shooting 17.4%, Byron now has a career shooting percentage of 18.0% over 363 NHL games across three franchises, including a conversion rate of 20.3% over 225 games while donning the CH.
Perhaps it’s time to stop talking about regression.