Trade Chatter Intensifies Around Bowen Byram

Overview

• Multiple outlets reported Monday that Bowen Byram has become a prominent trade candidate and that he may be reluctant to sign a long-term deal to stay in Buffalo.
• General manager Jarmo Kekäläinen has said he prefers to keep Byram but is open to a trade if it returns an NHL-ready top-six forward the Sabres need.
• The cap calculus is driven by Alex Tuch’s impending July 1 free agency and projections that his market salary could leave Buffalo with only low-to-mid ten millions in available room.
• Byram is entering the second year of a two-year, $6.25 million AAV deal after a 2025–26 season with 42 points in 82 regular-season games and seven points in 13 playoff games, and reports link him to a $9.5–$10M AAV extension target.
• Potential suitors named in coverage include Toronto, Philadelphia, Chicago and others and the next milestones to watch are Tuch’s decision and whether Buffalo converts trade interest into a deal before free agency.