Check out the latest on the Sabres’ Bowen Byram, the Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky, and Devils defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn looked at what the Buffalo Sabres should do with Bowen Byram.
The Sabres are reportedly receiving inquiries from multiple teams into the 25-year-old defenseman’s availability. He’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility with a cap hit for 2026-27 of $6.25 million, and lacks no-trade protection.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).
AFP Analytics projects Byram could receive an AAV of $9.5 million on his next contract. However, Fairburn believes it’ll be higher after the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Darren Raddysh to a long-term deal worth an AAV of $8.5 million.
Fairburn cited Byram saying last year that his role would factor into whether he’d sign a long-term deal with the Sabres. While he saw more power-play time this season, he’s not going to supplant Rasmus Dahlin on their top defense pairing.
The Sabres could hang onto Byram and let him play out the final season of his contract, but he’s also their most intriguing trade chip.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Byram has informed Sabres management that he’s not going to sign an extension, it’s only logical that they would explore the trade market. They could seek a return that replaces power forward Alex Tuch, who seems headed to free agency on July 1. The savings from moving Byram could also be put toward re-signing Tuch and restricted free agent winger Zach Benson, or in adding a blueliner to replace him.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards weighed in on a recent report by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, who claimed Sergei Bobrovsky wants a six- or seven-year deal worth $42 million to re-sign with the Panthers.
Richards indicated that the Panthers are continuing to negotiate with the Bobrovsky camp. However, they’re also believed to be keeping an eye on a potential replacement, noting they’ve been linked to Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers would have an easier time landing Binnington than they would Hellebuyck, who has not indicated he’s seeking a trade or willing to waive his no-movement clause. The Jets’ asking price would also be too high for them, because it would likely include center Anton Lundell.
Binnington has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $6.1 million and a 10-team no-trade list. His cap hit is more affordable than Hellebuyck’s $8.125 million (and no, the Jets won’t retain salary), and the Blues’ asking price won’t be as steep.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes that Darren Raddysh coming off the free-agent market shouldn’t adversely affect the Devils’ efforts to move a defenseman such as Dougie Hamilton or Simon Nemec.
Devils GM Sunny Mehta’s priority is adding more scoring punch to his forward lines. Hamilton or Nemec could be used as trade bait to address that need.
Hamilton, 32, has been the subject of trade conjecture since last summer. However, the 22-year-old Nemec is generating plenty of interest around the league. He’s a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights on July 1.
Teams that could be in the market for a right-shot defenseman include the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton and Nemec have been fixtures in the rumor mill for months. One of them could be playing with a new team before the summer’s over.