Bowen Byram Suddenly Becomes Top Option on Trade Market After Issue with Sabres

According to a report by TSN’s Darren Dreger, “Multiple teams exploring a trade with the Buffalo Sabres involving Dman, Bo Byram.” He adds, “Byram has 1 yr left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted Free Agent. Agent, Darren Ferris has some history with marching players to the open market. Motivation for trade consideration.”

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The last word on the Byram situation is that the player and the Buffalo Sabres were trying to work out an extension. One might wonder if the Sabers wouldn’t have moved Michael Kesselring if they thought they’d be losing Byram.

However, this isn’t the first time Byram’s name has come up in trade rumors. Last season his name was out there, and some of the teams that were linked to him included the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vegas Golden Knights.

Byram had his best season in a while with the Sabres last year. He played a 22-minute-a-night role and would absolutely be on the radar of several NHL teams if he were to become available.

Matthew Bove writes, “I’ve said several times over the last few weeks that I think Byram is getting moved. I’m sure they’d love to keep him, but he’s going to command a big contract and is also their most valuable chip to add a player elsewhere. They can’t keep him and let him walk for nothing next year.

Byram might still wind up signing an extension with the Sabres. However, this report suggests he just became one of the top names on the trade market, especially for defensemen.

What Now for the Sabres?

It’ll be interesting to see how Buffalo sustains its success if Alex Tuch, Bowen Byram, and Michael Kesselring are all gone. The Kesselring deal appeared to have been a solid move, but in the context of the Byram development, it’s now a bit questionable. A Byram trade would likely be a hockey deal aimed at replacing Tuch’s production. If they can find a forward that solves one issue. However, moving Byram creates a new hole.

Any cap savings from moving Tuch could then be used to address another need in free agency. Darnell Nurse anyone?

Next: The Winnipeg Jets Have a Humongous Connor Hellebuyck Problem