NHL Trade Rumors: Atlantic Division Team Showing Interest In Sabres' Bowen Byram
As the Buffalo Sabres weigh their offseason moves, Bowen Byram’s future has become a central storyline.
With the 23-year-old defenseman set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Sabres are actively gauging the trade market for the former No. 4 overall pick. And among the teams surfacing as a possible landing spot? The Detroit Red Wings.
Byram is coming off a career-best season, posting 38 points in 82 games while averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per night. Though his new agent, Darren Ferris, has denied that Byram formally requested a trade, multiple insiders suggest he may prefer a larger role—something that's unlikely to happen behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power in Buffalo.
Detroit Seen as Logical Fit for Byram
Detroit’s blue line, while headlined by Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, still lacks depth and offensive punch. The Red Wings struggled at 5-on-5 this past season, ranking 26th in goals percentage and 24th in expected goals share. General manager Steve Yzerman has already confirmed he’s open to using trades to address the team’s roster gaps: “We are prepared to look at doing something through trade for sure to try and make us better.”
This morning on the “32 Thoughts” Podcast, Elliotte Friedman reports that Kevyn Adams is gauging the market value for Defenseman Bowen Byram.
— 2 Goalies 1 Mic (@2Goalies1Mic) May 21, 2025
“There is no doubt his name is out there”
The narrative still is that there is a desire from Byram to have a bigger role. But with… pic.twitter.com/aMctdnv3mz
Byram fits that bill perfectly—young, offensively talented, and capable of playing top-four minutes immediately. With $22 million in cap space and only Seider signed beyond 2026, Detroit has the room to extend Byram and integrate him into their long-term core.
Sabres’ Asking Price and Trade Outlook
The Sabres aren’t rushing a deal but appear intent on receiving a right-shot defenseman in return, ideally someone who can pair with Owen Power. Targets like Jordan Spence from Los Angeles or even Rasmus Andersson from Calgary have been speculated as comparables in structure. Whether Detroit can—or will—offer a package including a right-handed blue liner remains to be seen.
The Sabres are "gauging the market" on Bowen Byram, per @FriedgeHNIC pic.twitter.com/gJnr7HYF0A
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 21, 2025
For now, trade buzz around Byram continues to grow. And if Buffalo decides not to commit long-term, the Red Wings may be in a prime position to pounce.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
