NHL Rumors: Sabres' Bowen Byram Linked To Penguins In Huge Off-season Splash

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly setting their sights on Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram as they aim to revamp their roster this summer.

As the Penguins look to retool rather than rebuild, rumors are swirling about their interest in 23-year-old blueliner Bowen Byram. 

According to The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, Pittsburgh is actively exploring ways to acquire the restricted free agent—whether through a trade or even a daring offer sheet.

However, prying Byram away from Buffalo won’t be easy. The Sabres have over $21 million in cap space, giving them the flexibility to match any offer sheet. 

If the Penguins pursue a trade instead, they’ll need to put together a compelling package to land the dynamic defenseman, whose skating, offensive instincts, and defensive maturity make him a coveted asset.

Why Byram Fits the Penguins’ Plan

With Sidney Crosby and Yevgeni Malkin still leading the charge, Pittsburgh is looking to add young, high-end talent to extend their competitive window. Byram fits the bill perfectly—a potential top-pairing defenseman who could bolster their blue line for years to come.

Meanwhile, Yohe dismissed speculation linking the Penguins to Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson, calling the Canucks star’s $11.6 million contract "a disaster" and casting doubt on his league-wide reputation. Given Pettersson’s looming no-movement clause, a deal seems highly unlikely, even with salary retention.

What’s Next for Pittsburgh?

If GM Kyle Dubas can pull off a move for Byram, it would send a clear message: the Penguins aren’t ready to step back. Securing a player of his caliber would not only upgrade their defense but also reinforce their commitment to contending while Crosby and Malkin remain elite.

As the offseason heats up, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh to see if they can turn these rumors into reality.

Image - Marc DesRosiers-Imagn