The Buffalo Sabres have secured defenseman Bowen Byram with a two-year contract worth $12.5 million, averaging $6.25 million annually, successfully avoiding arbitration.
Byram joined the Sabres from the Colorado Avalanche during the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, exchanging him for Casey Mittelstadt. In his first season with Buffalo, he played all 82 games, scoring seven goals and adding 31 assists while showing his worth with 116 blocked shots. Despite this success, trade rumors swirl around him due to his position on the third pairing.
This new contract positions Byram for potential unrestricted free agency by the end of the 2026-27 season, maintaining ongoing speculation about his future with the Sabres. His contract is seen as movable, making him a target for teams needing defensive depth, with speculation that he could fill a gap for teams like the St. Louis Blues.
