REPORT: The Colorado Avalanche 'ALMOST' traded Bowen Byram

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Ryan
December 4, 2022 (5:33 PM)

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The 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche had one hell of a playoff run, only losing 4 total games despite losing starting goalie Darcy Kuemper on multiple occasions.

For multiple seasons though, the Avalanche did not have much playoff success, often having a hard time making it past the second round of the playoffs. In the 2019-20 season (COVID season) the Colorado Avalanche finished second in the Western Conference, only behind the St. Louis Blues, with a record of 42-20-8, which who knows what the final outcome would have been if they were able to complete the season.

But at the trade deadline, the Colorado Avalanche were apparently very interested in Kyle Connor from the Winnipeg Jets. At the time Connor was in the midst of his 3rd straight 30 goal season and was looking like a dynamic force.

The Jets were loaded with forwards this season, but were very thin on defence after the departure of Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba.

So at the deadline a trade was in the works between the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche that would have sent Kyle Connor to the Avalanche in exchange for recently drafted 4th overall pick, Bowen Byram + additional assets.

Byram was at the time playing in his final season in the WHL for the Vancouver Giants.

While we don't know how this would have ended up for either team in the end, but it's safe to say that if this trade happened it would have definitely benefited both franchises.