Bowen Byram

Many wrote Byram off after he was limited to just 30 regular-season games, but he returned with a vengeance late in the year, ultimately finishing with 17 points. Byram then served as a key top-four defender in Colorado's run to the Stanley Cup. The No. 4 overall pick in 2019, Byram will play this entire season at age 21. His power-play time figures to be limited due to the presence of Cale Makar, but Byram should still be able to produce enough to make for a worthy late-round fantasy pick. His keeper/dynasty league value remains substantial, so don't sell low.

Byram played just 19 games in his first NHL season, primarily because he was forced to deal with an upper-body issue and also spent time in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. He managed just two assists during that span, and never saw action in the playoffs despite being medically cleared to play. While it may seem discouraging on the surface, Byram will play this entire season at age 20 and still has a bright, bright future. The former No. 4 overall pick (2019) should begin the campaign with a full-time job with the Avalanche. He's also a candidate to see some early-season power-play time as Devon Toews recovers from a shoulder issue. That situation should allow Byram to produce more than he did a year ago, but he's still a ways away from making any sort of significant fantasy impact.

Byram, the fourth overall pick from 2019, could make a case for an Opening Night job with the Avalanche in 2020-21. The 19-year-old will likely miss all of training camp while representing Team Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championship, but with the WHL season's start up in the air, that could work out well for Byram. By all accounts, he's pretty close to NHL ready, and dynasty managers are just waiting for him to take on an everyday role in Denver. With the success of Cale Makar well documented, it seems almostt unfair that Byram could soon be skating top-four minutes for the Avalanche as well. He's worth a look as a late-round option in redraft formats, as he could be a stud if he sticks with the big club this year.

The Avalanche padded their already stacked defensive prospect pool by selecting Byram -- the best defenseman in this year's draft class -- with the fourth overall pick. The 18-year-old lit up the WHL last season, racking up 26 goals and 71 points in 67 games with the Vancouver Giants. Byram has the potential to be a bonafide No. 1 defenseman in the NHL, but Colorado's blue line is already pretty crowded, so he may head back to the WHL for another year after getting a nine-game tryout with the big club this season. Either way, Byram is a must-own player in dynasty formats, and will likely be wreaking havoc on the league alongside fellow youngster Cale Makar sooner rather than later.