When the Buffalo Sabres acquired Bowen Byram on the 2024 NHL Commerce Deadline, it was understood that the workforce had added a gifted blueliner who instantly improved their protection. Nonetheless, his time with the Sabres might appear to be coming to an finish.
“We mentioned it was going to be a sizzling title this summer time. And I’ve simply heard there’s been plenty of noise round him on the Mix.” – Elliotte Friedman on pending RFA Bowen Byram
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— sabresource (@sabresource1) June 6, 2025
With Byram set to develop into a restricted free agent on July 1, a number of reviews from insiders, together with Elliotte Friedman, have said that the Sabres and Byram want to half methods this offseason. There was additionally a report by Chad DeDominicis of Anticipated Buffalo that he expects the Sabres to commerce Byram by the 2025 NHL Draft. Listed here are 5 groups that might be nice touchdown spots for him.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are anticipated to make main modifications to the roster this summer time, between the uncertainty surrounding Mitch Marner and John Tavares, and Matthew Knies’ standing as a restricted free agent. The one space the Maple Leafs appear to lack is a real puck-moving, left-handed defenseman.
Morgan Rielly is an underrated defenseman, however Byram would assist the Maple Leafs in each facet, particularly offensively. Exterior of Rielly, the workforce’s protection is fairly skinny, and having a prime 4 of Rielly, Byram, Chris Tanev, and Brandon Carlo (who they acquired on the 2025 Commerce Deadline) could be an improve over what they’ve now. In the event that they wish to recover from the playoff hump, they need to purchase Byram.
The Maple Leafs have a number of choices they’ll embody in a commerce for Byram, together with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and winger Nicholas Robertson. Given Ekman-Larsson is 33 years previous, he’s on no account a long-term repair on the blue line however is extra of a bridge participant till the Sabres can discover a secure associate for energy. What makes Ekman-Larsson a pretty asset is he’s on a really inexpensive contract as he’s set to make $3.5 million a season by means of 2027-2028. He could be a dependable right-shot defenseman who may present some precious minutes taking part in alongside Owen Energy on the Sabres’ second defensive pair.
Robertson is a 23-year-old winger who has a bit of little bit of upside however simply will get buried within the Maple Leafs’ depth chart. He scored a career-high 15 objectives this previous season in 69 video games performed. Taking part in solely 12 minutes an evening, he doesn’t have a lot alternative to develop and develop as a participant, whereas on the Sabres, he’d be given a greater probability as their roster will not be practically as sturdy.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues and Sabres might be excellent commerce companions. The Blues lack left-handed defensemen, and the Sabres lack right-handed defensemen. The Blues have a surplus of right-handed defensemen that they’ll provide in a commerce for Byram. None of them could be a long-term repair, as most of them are of their 30s and can be unrestricted free brokers after the 2025-2026 season, however they might assist the Sabres’ blue line, particularly Energy.
A participant like Cam Fowler would make a right away affect on the Sabres’ blue line, however the Blues must ship extra than simply Byram to land him. They’d even have so as to add a youthful ahead with excessive upside, like 23-year-old Jake Neighbours. He performed all 82 video games this season, recording profession highs in assists (24) and factors (46) whereas additionally tallying 22 objectives. Within the playoffs, he recorded six factors (one aim and 5 assists) in seven video games.
The one query could be whether or not the Blues could be prepared to commerce Neighbours, as he has the potential to be one of many workforce’s greatest gamers. Nonetheless, to commerce for a very good participant, it’s worthwhile to commerce a very good participant.
Anaheim Geese
The Anaheim Geese may use a defenseman like Byram. Despite the fact that the group has a plethora of younger defensemen creating, Byram’s expertise at solely 25 would make an affect on and off the ice. Anaheim has 4 defensemen underneath the age of 25: Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, Jackson LaCombe, and Drew Helleson. Including a participant of Byram’s caliber would considerably enhance the defensive core, and he would slot in properly on the highest pair with LaCombe.
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If I needed to guess, Hellson could be the odd man out. He has some upside, which is what the Sabres want on the blue line, and he’s right-handed, which ought to make him interesting to the membership.
The Geese completed with 80 factors this season, representing a 21-point enchancment from final season. Including Byram to a roster that’s poised to proceed creating ought to assist the Geese compete for a playoff spot subsequent season.
Detroit Pink Wings
The Detroit Pink Wings want a defenseman. Exterior of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, their blue line is growing old and weak. Fortunately, all their contracts expire after the 2025-2026 season, besides Seider’s, which makes this a very good alternative to commerce for Byram.
Pink Wings common supervisor Steve Yzerman has tried to herald growing old veterans to mentor his youthful gamers, however the method hasn’t been profitable. I believe now it’s time to modify issues up and usher in younger gamers which are nearly to enter their prime and that begins with buying Byram. The Sabres won’t be prepared to commerce a possible top-pair defenseman to a division rival, however they did commerce Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators on the deadline, so something is feasible.
In a commerce for Byram, Axel Sandin-Pellikka must be the principle asset being traded to the Sabres. Drafted seventeenth general within the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, he has but to make his NHL debut however is likely one of the Pink Wings’ prime prospects who’s trying to make the NHL roster come subsequent season. He’s a precious asset who has a excessive ceiling and has a shot to be a superb defenseman within the league for a decade plus.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are the proper match for Byram. The Kings not solely have the property to accumulate him, however Byram would slot in completely subsequent to right-shot defenseman Brandt Clarke on the top-pair; the 2 of them may run Los Angeles for the subsequent decade. Sadly, the Kings would probably must half with defenseman Jordan Spence on this deal. The Sabres want a right-handed defenseman to play with Energy, and Spence could be the proper match.
The Kings must surrender greater than Spence to land Byram, however a commerce right here may make sense for either side. The Kings even have the cap area to signal Byram this offseason. The Kings have $24.6 million accessible, and though they’ve a number of gamers on expiring contracts corresponding to Vladislav Gavrikov, Andrei Kuzmenko, Tanner Jeannot, and Alex Laferriere, they are going to nonetheless have sufficient cap area to signal Byram long-term if they’ll purchase him.
Byram can be traded this offseason; it’s only a matter of the asking value. It takes time for the inspiration of a commerce and negotiating property to materialize. The place will Byram find yourself by the beginning of subsequent season?
