OKC 12-13: DANE BYERS

Dane Byers is a player of interest for both the Edmonton Oilers and OKC Barons. The minor leaguer’s skill set is a close match for an area of need in Edmonton.

OKC RE 12-13: 70, 15-21-36

1. So you think EDM is interested but he’ll play in OKC? Yeah. Maybe the Oilers deal Eager at the deadline, but Byers is insurance and an OKC regular at this point.
2. Are Eager and Byers similar? Byers bio (say that fast three times) says he has a big frame and the potential to be a power winger, but that he’s isn’t a pure enforcer.
3. So exactly like Eager. Well, a lesser Eager to my eye. Eager has been an NHL regular for years, while Byers–not much younger–is still trying to make the grade.
4. Byers is tougher, meaner, eats red meat. Hmmm. Eager is pretty tough.
5. Byers has those bad eyes, like a gypsy. I have literally no idea what you’re saying.
6. Eager didn’t help the Nuge! He looked the wrong way, it isn’t like the kid lost a hand.
7. Well maybe one day soon he’ll be looking the wrong way and Nuge loses his whole head! Moonstruck, right?
8. Yes.
9. Do either of them fight much? Darcy Hordichuk led the Oilers last season in fights (8) and Eager had 5 majors. Byers had 3 majors in 8 games with Columbus and 6 in the minors. All of them can fight, but Eager is the best hockey player of the three.
10. What is the gap between Eager and Byers? NHL teams suggest it is significant enough for one to be in the NHL and the other to be outside it.
11. What is his role? Byers: “There is no doubt I will be there (Edmonton) to create some energy for the young guys. I just have to come to work everyday.”
12. Why do hockey players talk like that? Dollars to donuts thats what the coach told them. Energy, help the young guys, tough. Grrrr.
13. What is the most used word in the world of hockey? It’s a profanity beginning with “F”. Take that word out and hockey would be reduced to a series of grunts. Hockey people would agree with me, btw.
14. What do you know about Byers that you didn’t know before doing this? When I typed ‘Dane Byers’ into google, there were about as many stories about Danes as there were about Byers.
15. Which Danes? That Wozniacki girl, a lot. Tennis player.
16. Could Byers make it? He’s an interesting player, had one AHL season (09-10) where you’d think he would have been considered for NHL employment.
17. Why didn’t he make it? That Ranger team (09-10) had Sean Avery, Aaron Voros, Donald Brashear and acquired Brandon Prust.
18. What about the next year? Avery, Prust and Dubinsky was a regular that season too.
19. Maybe he’s a hidden gem? I imagine that’s why Columbus traded for him, and of course the Blue Jackets are Death Valley for hockey players. So, maybe….
20. What if he has a very good season in OKC? Oilers might sign him and flush Eager. But I don’t think that happens until at least the deadline, as mentioned above.