The Buffalo Sabres have traded left-handed defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2026 first-round pick (No. 4), 2026 second-round pick (No. 45), and left-handed defenseman Louis Crevier.
The 25-year-old Byram carries a $6.25 million salary cap hit and is in the last year of his deal. There are reports that he could be looking for $10 million-plus on an extension. He’d be a UFA after next season. He’d been stuck behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, and is looking for top-pairing minutes.
The 29-year-old Greenway is in the last year of his contract with a $4 million cap hit. The Blackhawks added $9.35 million to their cap in the deal.
Thoughts from the media
Frank Seravalli: “Context on why Buffalo traded Byram and why the Hawks wanted him. Calculus changed today. With San Jose likely to grab Stenberg and now a defenseman at 9, Chicago clearly felt more confident in Byram’s proven ability and upside than wagering on what will be available at No. 4.”
Mark Lazerus: “I’m legitimately gobsmacked by this Blackhawks trade. Last time I had this vibe after a trade was, what, Phil Danault and a second-rounder for Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise?”
Mark Lazerus: “And I like Bo Byram! He’s a fun fit in Chicago. But the price being paid is mind-boggling.”
Darren Dreger: “Sources say Byram is happy to join the Blackhawks. He wants a bigger role. Safe to say work will be done on an extension in the near future.”
Cam Robinson: “I believe the Sabres will hold onto that 4th overall pick and target a centre. If Malhotra is gone, look for Viggo to find his path into the top 5.”
Dobber: “Byram finally healthy – 164 straight games. Buried behind Dahlin. A paltry 1:36 of PP time playing with the second unit. Secondary guys. And he still got 42 points? Now double that PPTOI. With Bedard. Who still hasn’t entered his prime. Whatever you think Byram’s upside is – he’ll hit it. Say Chicago got fleeced all you want – maybe they did, time will tell. Just don’t sleep on Byram.”
Justin Bourne: “Aight to “both sides” this thing, we got a Byrum believer here. Chicago absolutely has to start adding NHL players and this definitely signals a new direction, some new intent.”
Austin Stanovich: “I like both those players from BUF but holy crap what an overpay. You need to be super confident Byram is a top pair guy if that’s what you’re giving up for him.”
Charlie O’Connor: “This trade is hilarious. The last time a top-5 pick in the NHL was traded (with both teams knowing it was top-5) was 2008. 18 years ago. This doesn’t happen. GMs always chicken out. And the one that finally happens is for… Bowen Byram??? For the right to overpay him???”
Evan Rawal: “Crazy overpayment but if Bowen Byram believes he’s a #1, he won’t get a better place to show it than Chicago. Sure feels like Buffalo, a team that could use a goalie, has the ammunition to get a certain someone now…”
Byram’s toolsy fourth-forward style game isn’t necessarily my favourite, and he will need his linemates to be sharp in order to thrive, but there is obviously a great deal of skill here. It will be interesting to see how he fits in Chicago, especially if he’s given the #1 role. pic.twitter.com/YfVpwMHzEn
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 24, 2026