Buffalo Sabres Finalize Contract with Bowen Byram
The Buffalo Sabres have finalized a two-year contract with defenseman Bowen Byram, successfully avoiding arbitration. The agreement, which was revealed late Monday, is valued at $6.25 million annually. Byram, who is 24 years old and a restricted free agent, has been at the center of trade discussions throughout the offseason.
Trade Discussions and Team Dynamics
Sabres’ general manager, Kevyn Adams, had indicated earlier that he was open to trading Byram if the right offer emerged. However, the team has opted to retain him for now, with Byram set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the new contract.
Byram joined the Sabres from the Colorado Avalanche during the 2024 trade deadline, in a move that involved sending Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado. In the past season, he appeared in all 82 games and achieved a personal milestone with a total of 38 points.
Defensive Pairing and Performance
With the current arrangement of the Sabres’ blue line, Byram is anticipated to partner with Rasmus Dahlin on the top defensive pair. Their synergy from last season had shown promise; when both were on the ice together, the Sabres controlled 54% of the expected goals during five-on-five play. However, Byram’s numbers were considerably lower without Dahlin by his side, indicating Dahlin is likely to remain his primary defensive partner moving into the next season.
Management’s Confidence and Future Prospects
“What I know about Bo Byram is if he’s back, it’s going to be all in, and he’ll strive to help us win,” said Adams. He emphasized the importance of finding a solution that suits both the player and the organization.
Earlier in the offseason, the Sabres made a significant roster shift by trading JJ Peterka for winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Peterka, who contributed 68 points in the prior season, was a crucial part of the Sabres’ top-six lineup. Byram could have been a significant asset in trade negotiations if the Sabres sought to replace that scoring. Nevertheless, the team still possesses ample future assets and cap space, which allows for flexibility in potential trades. Signing Byram does not eliminate the possibilities of him being traded at a later date.
Current Defensive Lineup and Salary Cap Situation
As it stands, the Sabres’ defensive lineup looks promising, featuring:
- Byram-Dahlin
- Owen Power-Michael Kesselring
- Mattias Samuelsson-Conor Timmins
According to PuckPedia, Buffalo has approximately $7.3 million in salary cap space remaining. The only restricted free agents yet to be signed are defenseman Conor Timmins and goalie Devon Levi, who might start the season in the AHL. Timmins is expected to negotiate a contract below $3 million per year, which means the Sabres retain sufficient cap flexibility to bolster their roster further.
