Avalanche’s Bo Byram, overcoming concussion issues, makes NHL playoff debut: “I’m just proud of him”

Avalanche defenseman Bo Byram stepped away for three months during the regular season to address lingering concussion issues.

Byram’s resilient comeback hit a new milestone on Tuesday night with his NHL playoff debut. Byram logged 16:16 of ice time with a plus-two rating in a Game 1 7-2 victory for Colorado over Nashville.

“It’s definitely a step up from the regular season,” Byram said on a Wednesday video call with reporters. “But I was excited for it and I was ready to go. Whenever you come out like that and get a jump on a team, it’s always nice.”

Byram entered the postseason with 17 points (five goals) over 30 games. The former No. 4 overall 2019 NHL draft pick, acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, has lived up to the hype when healthy.

“I feel like I’ve played a good two-way game when I’ve been in the lineup,” Byram said. “I’ve been solid defensively and have been able to create a bit offensively as well. There’s a lot that you can think about and nitpick … but I think you’ve got to just try to be confident and play within yourself. Do what you do best.”

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said he was impressed with how Byram matched Nashville’s physicality in Game 1. An exceptionally deep Colorado roster doesn’t guarantee that Byram will play in Game 2 on Thursday night. But it’s clear the team considers Byram an important piece in their push toward the Stanley Cup.

“To be able to get himself going, get healthy … and take the time off that he needed to get back and playing at a high level? It’s not easy to do, especially after two years of frustration and heartbreak,” Bednar said. “I’m just proud of him. Hopefully, he can keep moving forward here now, stay healthy and continue to be a factor in helping us win hockey games.”

Footnotes. Forward Andrew Cogliano sustained an upper-body injury in Game 1 against Nashville and did not return. He is considered “day-to-day” for a return in the series, Bednar said. … The Avs have nominated forward Nazem Kadri for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy given annually to the “player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community,” the league announced on Wednesday. Bednar said: “Naz has a big heart and he cares a lot. That’s just his personality. … He shows that passion when he plays for us.”

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