The Buffalo Sabres and Bowen Byram
The Buffalo Sabres are at a pivotal point regarding Bowen Byram, their young defenseman acquired in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche for Casey Mittelstadt. General Manager Kevyn Adams expressed uncertainty about where Byram would fit into the Sabres’ lineup, particularly given that they already had two promising left-handed defensemen in prominent roles. Despite these concerns, the gamble on Byram appears to have paid off in terms of performance, as he demonstrated significant potential on the ice last season.
Performance Highlights
Byram, who turned 24 this year, participated in all 82 games and showcased his skills as a standout defenseman when paired with star player Rasmus Dahlin. The duo proved effective during five-on-five situations, generating 54% of the expected goals when they skated together, highlighting Byram’s offensive contributions and playmaking ability from the back end. However, his performance dipped when separated from Dahlin, as the expected goals rate fell to 44%—a statistic that could reflect more on the weaker defensive partners he was assigned and the limited time spent with the team’s primary offensive talents.
Contract Considerations
Despite such fluctuations, analysts note Byram’s age places him in the prime of his career, attracting attention as he approaches a contract negotiation. Facing restricted free agency, he is projected to seek a significant salary increase from his current $3.85 million to an average of about $7.99 million annually on an extension with the Sabres, according to Evolving-Hockey‘s predictions. Conversely, a shorter contract could see him earning around $5.4 million over two years.
Future Options
The Sabres may need to weigh their options seriously. If Byram’s potential aligns with future comparables like Brandon Montour or Ryan Pulock, he could be worth the investment. However, if he falls into the trajectory of players like Zach Bogosian or Jamie McBain, they may consider moving him to capitalize on his trade value.
Potential Trade Interests
Several teams could look to acquire Byram, each with specific needs. The Calgary Flames, a rebuilding franchise, might view him as a key asset to develop alongside their recent draftees, while the San Jose Sharks could seek to bolster their defense after trading Jake Walman—though they would need to provide substantial assets in return. The Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves in the market for defensive help, especially if Ivan Provorov leaves as a free agent, and Byram could fulfill that role even without guaranteed top power-play minutes.
