It’s been reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram is now available for trade.
The Chicago Blackhawks need to take some serious steps next season, and to do it, they’re going to need some big upgrades on the roster. The defense corps has a lot of young talent on it, but none of them have truly broken through in the NHL.
On top of this, it was reported that the Blackhawks like Byram (from ‘Could Blackhawks pursue Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram? What I’m hearing,’ The Athletic, 6/19/26).
Why He’s Not a Fit
Byram is an interesting situation; he has upside and is just 25, but I don’t think the Blackhawks are the right team for him.
He is an extremely strong skater and carries the puck very well, which are two qualities that defensemen in the modern-day NHL need to excel at. Both of those qualities are something that I think Artyom Levshunov will excel at if he pans out.
Byram recorded 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points in 82 games during the 2025-26 season. That offensive production would have ranked him third on the Blackhawks in points and first among defensemen, 17 points ahead of the next closest, Louis Crevier.
With that being said, Byram struggles badly in his own end. Even with all the offensive upside he brings, he lost his minutes, posting a 48.22 goals-for percentage (xGF%).
I’ve been a big advocate of Blackhawks general manager (GM) Kyle Davidson making moves to help the team now. With that being said, Chicago has such a young defense corps right now, I don’t think Byram is the right guy to bring in.
As I mentioned before, I think Levshunov will take up the role Byram would fill, and hopefully at a higher level.
The reports have also indicated that he would want upwards of $10 million on his next contract. I understand the cap is exploding in the next few years, and $10 million won’t be what it once was, but I’d still be skeptical of giving him that money.
To me, I don’t see Byram as a guy who will be good enough to get to a position where he is a number one defenseman on a Cup-contending team. Regardless of how good he looked against the Boston Bruins in the playoffs, I think he got exposed against the Montreal Canadians, who are a team that will take the game to you far more than Boston.
Those are the games where you’ll see him struggle, and in a division with teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and the Utah Mammoth, I feel like he would get exposed often.
They would also have to deal with his agent, Darren Ferris. He is notorious for being difficult to deal with and pushing his clients to free agency, which may end up being a massive headache for Davidson, as well as a distraction to the team.
In an offseason where you already have the Connor Bedard extension hanging over your head, it feels like something I wouldn’t want Davidson getting tied up in.
On top of all of this, you wouldn’t be getting Byram for cheap. With the Sabres likely losing Alex Tuch and having most of their blue line locked up, I think they’d be looking at a forward to play in their top-six in return for Byram.
I’ve seen many people throw around Matthew Knies’ name as part of a trade for Byram if the Sabres were to deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. If that is the level of return the Sabres would be looking for, the Blackhawks would be looking to move someone like Frank Nazar.
I just don’t think this is the move that the Blackhawks should make. I’m not high enough on Byram to want to move Nazar.
Davidson needs to add to the blue line, but this isn’t the move for the Blackhawks to get in on.
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