The Buffalo Sabres and defenseman Bowen Byram have settled on a brand new two-year deal value $12,5 million, carrying a wage cap hit of $6.25 million, avoiding arbitration.
Two extra years of Bo in blue & gold ⚔️
Now we have signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a two-year contract with an AAV of $6.25 million.
Particulars → https://t.co/jpHKjgfrI5#LetsGoBuffalo | @NorthtownAuto pic.twitter.com/bgrQIbzQ8i
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 15, 2025
The Sabres acquired Byram from the Colorado Avalanche on the 2024 NHL Commerce Deadline for Casey Mittelstadt. In his first full season with the Sabres, Byram recorded 38 factors (seven objectives and 31 assists) with a plus/minus of +10 to go together with 116 blocked pictures taking part in in all 82 video games. To not point out the restricted free agent performed in all conditions for the Sabres.
Bowen Byram, signed 2x$6.5M by BUF, is an offensive defenceman who regardless of an array of expertise together with mobility, puck carrying, particular person likelihood creation, and ending has considerably struggled to drive play for each the Avs and Sabres because the 2022 Last. pic.twitter.com/itiJ8tBf86
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 15, 2025
Since coming to the Buffalo Sabres, Byram has totalled 47 factors (10 objectives and 37 assists) with a plus/minus score of +10 in 100 video games with the Sabres. In 246 profession regular-season video games, he has recorded 110 factors (33 objectives and 77 assists), successful a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
NHL Rumors: The Buffalo Sabres Have a Dilemma with Bowen Byram
There was quite a lot of chatter about Bowen Byram being traded by the Buffalo Sabres. Although he didn’t formally request a commerce, he was on the third pairing. To not point out, Normal Supervisor Kevyn Adams couldn’t let one other disgruntled participant depart the Sabres. Sooner or later, he must pay his gamers to remain.
Even with Byram signed to a brand new two-year deal, he can stroll to free company on the finish of the 2026-27 season. So the drama involving Byram and Sabres is simply starting.
Evening Cap Recap
Bowen Byram Will get Two Yr Bridge Deal in Buffalo However the Saga is Far From Being Over#sabrehood #nhl @PuckPedia pic.twitter.com/TrHNqElyOS
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 15, 2025
If you happen to have a look at the contract, Byram’s deal remains to be movable. He was linked to a number of groups this offseason due to his means to play the precise facet as a left-shot defenseman. Nonetheless, he needs extra minutes, not solely five-on-five however on the facility play as nicely. He was taking part in second pair minutes when the Avalanche gained the Stanley Cup. So a crew just like the St. Louis Blues, for instance, may use him with Torey Krug’s profession over as a result of damage.
#Sabres re-sign RFA D Bowen Byram to two-year, $6.25M AAV contract extension, per @FriedgeHNIC.
Deal takes Byram straight to UFA on expiry.
— NHL Information (@PuckReportNHL) July 15, 2025
Whereas the short-term battle is over, the long-term battle has been gained by the Sabres. Byram can nonetheless be traded. The discuss of him being traded persists, as his $6.25 million per-season contract may be very movable. Groups now know what the value is for the participant. So the chatter will proceed by way of the low season up till the NHL Commerce Deadline. And if Bowen Byram stays on the Sabres roster till the tip of the 2025-26 season, commerce discuss will probably ramp up once more, as he shall be eligible to signal an extension on July 1, 2026.
NHL Rumors: What Team-Elected Salary Arbitration Means for Bowen Byram
And what if he doesn’t signal an extension with the Sabres at that time? Then the entire sound and dance about not letting a participant depart for nothing will start, thus persevering with the commerce discuss. That is an countless and merciless cycle that Bowen Byram and the Buffalo Sabres are in. Nonetheless, this new contract merely continues the drama, not ends it, as many suppose.
So don’t be shocked, even with the waters being calm now in Buffalo, issues get tough as soon as once more for the Sabres and Byram as soon as the season begins.
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