3 Potential Trade Destinations For Bowen Byram

Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Bowen Byram has hit the rumor mill—hard. Word emerged this week that Buffalo is listening on trade offers, and there are "multiple teams" exploring a deal. 

Insider David Pagnotta reports that Byram, who has one year remaining on his deal and is eligible for an extension on July 1, is looking for "north of $10M (AAV) on his next contract." He also wants to be depended upon for a top-pairing role.

The money alone will scare off some teams that are tight to the cap. But we can suggest several up-and-coming clubs with plenty of cash to spend, and who could use a top-pairing D-man. With that, we look at three potential trade destinations for Bowen Byram.

Anaheim Ducks

With just two NHL defenseman signed on their roster, the Ducks are looking at a busy summer trying to re-populate their blueline. Notable pending UFAs are John Carlson, Jacob Trouba and captain Radko Gudas. They're hoping to bring back at least one, maybe two of those (though they can forget about Carlson, who is heading East). They have three RFAs to try to get signed as well, though there's no guarantee they'll all be back, either. 

With over $38M in cap space, the Ducks have the room, and the need, to bring in a Byram. And while top d-man Jackson LaCombe is a left-shot like Byram, LaCombe has played plenty on the right side. 

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers took the same sort of leap this season as the Ducks, emerging from their rebuild with a mini playoff run, getting to the second round. They have long held interest in Byram, going back to 2024, when they discussed a Cutter Gauthier trade with the Colorado Avalanche at the time, while he was still a disgruntled Flyers draft pick. Byram was dealt to the Sabres instead, for Casey Mittelstadt (we bet the Avs are sorely regretting that decision). So it's quite possible that the Flyers, with over $32M in cap space, could make another run at Byram. 

If they trade Rasmus Ristolainen, as is so often speculated, they will have a need for a top-pairing defenseman to line up with Travis Sanheim—another rearguard who transitions between the left and right side with ease.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Hawks are a bit farther behind the above two teams in their timeline, but they are far more desperate for a No. 1 blueliner, and far richer in cap space (over $40 million). 

Scott Powers of The Athletic writes that Chicago likes Byram, "a relatively young, left-handed defenseman who could fit in with what the Blackhawks are building." The challenge, he notes, however, is that they might not have the ability to make the true player-for-player hockey trade that Buffalo would be looking for. Their offer would be more along the lines of draft capital.