The Buffalo Sabres and Bowen Byram didn’t solve much with the new contract the 24-year-old signed on Monday. While the deal avoids a costly and painful stalemate during arbitration, the deal only kicks the can down the road.
The hope was that the two sides could agree on a long-term deal. However, the two-year contract only shifts the inevitable outcome that is a trade, potentially to this trade deadline.
For Byram, signing a two-year contract makes a lot of sense. The deal will bring him to UFA status upon its completion. At that point, he’ll be free to sign wherever he chooses.
The deal is also a big gamble for Byram as he’s betting on himself. The bet is that he’ll continue to emerge as one of the league’s best young blue liners, putting him in a position to rake in the big bucks when he’s eligible for unrestricted free agency.
For the Sabres, this contract only delays what could be an inevitable outcome. The Sabres will still have to trade him. It’s unlikely the contract is only a stopgap measure intended to buy time while the two sides work out a long-term contract.
But there is a silver lining for Buffalo. The Sabres could maximize their return on Byram by trading him this season. The Sabres can fetch far more by moving him with one more year left on his contract than merely moving his rights as an RFA.
Overall, Byram’s new contract brings some type of closure to this complex issue. But fans shouldn’t be surprised if trade talk doesn’t go away.
A great season from Byram will be fantastic for Sabres
So, Bowen Byram will be betting on himself this upcoming season. While that may seem selfish on the surface, it’s actually something fantastic for the team.
The Sabres desperately need everyone to step up this upcoming season. If Byram can find a new gear next season, it would help the Sabres reach the next level in their rebuild.
That next level could be challenging for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Now, that’s not wishful thinking. It’s a reality.
The Boston Bruins could be on the verge of another sour season in 2025-26. The Tampa Bay Lightning could take a step back, while the Toronto Maple Leafs may also regress. The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators are far from a sure thing.
So, that opens the door for the Buffalo Sabres to jump in and take advantage of potential gaps in the Atlantic Division.
If Byram can surpass 50 points and play stellar defense, the Sabres may just be in a position to end the longest playoff drought in the NHL at the moment.