Drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, Bowen Byram spent much of this offseason in uncertainty. Once traded by the Avalanche in March 2024, Byram knows the feeling of an imminent trade all too well.
However, in a moment of relief, the 24-year-old is now slated to remain with the Sabres. Byram signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with a $6.25 million cap hit with Buffalo, ending months of trade speculation. The contract runs until 2027.
This contract extension is good news for Byram, who has spoken well about his time with the Sabres. However, sources indicate it might be too early to say anything about his future with Buffalo.
Why Are the Sabres Still Considering Trading Newly-Signed Defenseman Bowen Byram?
Byram’s past season with the Sabres was exceptional by many standards. He registered several career highs, including the most number of games played at 82 and the average time on ice at 22:42.
Byram also accumulated a career-high 38 points (seven goals, 31 assists) over 82 games. Moreover, he was a reliable partner to defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Undoubtedly, the pair worked well on defense.
Notwithstanding his impressive showing, Byram continued to be surrounded by trade rumors for months. Now, despite a two-year contract, a post on X from the NHL Rumour Report indicates that a trade is not entirely off the table.
The post states, “Even with a new 2-year contract under his belt, Bowen Byram remains a prime candidate for the Sabres to move at some point this offseason.”
The Fourth Period: “Even with a new 2-year contract under his belt, Bowen Byram remains a prime candidate for the Sabres to move at some point this offseason” (7/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 24, 2025
According to the Fourth Report, which was quoted by the NHL Rumour Report’s X post, the logic behind the move could be to acquire a top forward in return for Byram. “It’s unclear what they are looking for, at this stage, but Buffalo’s desire is to add a top-six forward,” the report indicates.
Teams linked to Byram as potential destinations are the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins, among others.
Byram is attractive for several reasons, especially because he is just 24 years old. A first-round pick, Byram has not approached his prime. Looking at his stats from the past season, his trajectory seems promising.
How Does Byram Feel About His Future in Buffalo?
Given his affordable price tag, Byram could attract a lot of interest from teams across the NHL. Given the Sabres’ interest in acquiring a forward, a trade could be possible soon.
However, Byram has expressed his interest in continuing to play with the Sabres. Byram expressed relief when the contract extension finally happened, ending the period of prolonged speculation.
“I’m happy it’s done and out of the way, now,” he said after signing his new deal. Byram suggested that the Sabres have given him more exposure, enabling him to hone his hockey skills. “I think I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve got an opportunity to play a bigger role and play more minutes, whether it’s the offensive side, power play, penalty kill,” Byram said. “So, I’m happy with that.”
However, the Sabres finished second-to-last in the Atlantic Division in the 2024-25 season. The front office must exercise caution before trading away a prized player like Byram.
