he scored on his first career penalty shot in a 5–1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Byron's 2012–13 season was marred by injury as he missed over a month of play due to a shoulder injury. He spent the majority of the season with Abbotsford, where he recorded 15 points in 38 games. He was recalled to Calgary in mid February, but suffered a broken hand early in his first game of the season with the Flames. He played an additional three games following his recovery and recorded an assist. After beginning the 2013–14 season in Abbotsford, the five-foot-nine Byron earned a regular spot in the Flames line-up by playing an aggressive style that impressed head coach Bob Hartley: "The size of the heart is much more important than the physical size. Here's a guy who plays like he's six-foot-two, six-foot-three. He's not avoiding traffic." Montreal Canadiens (2015–present) Following the 2014–15 season, Byron became a restricted free agent under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Calgary Flames made him a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights, and on July 5, 2015, Byron filed for Salary Arbitration. On the eve of the beginning of the 2015–16 season, Byron was acquired off waivers from the Flames by the Montreal Canadiens on October 6, 2015. The decision was motivated in part by a fan-made YouTube video showing numerous examples of Byron missing breakaway shots, which showcased his speed to Montreal's scouting staff. On February 23, 2016, Byron signed a three-year contract with the Canadiens worth a total of 3.5 million dollars. During the 2016-17 season, Byron recorded career-highs in goals with 22, assists with 21 and total points with 43, finishing second on the Montreal Canadiens in goals. On September 22, 2018, Byron signed a four-year, 13.6 million-dollar contract extension with the Canadiens lasting until the 2022–23 season, after having yet another 20-goal season with a struggling Canadiens team in the 2017–18 season. On October 1, after Shea Weber was named captain of the Canadiens, Byron was named an alternate captain, along with Brendan Gallagher. Byron began to play through hip pain for a number of years, culminating in having to take nine games off during the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season. He had been placed on waivers three times during that season in what the team insisted was strictly a measure to save money under the salary cap. Byron received a cortisone