Bowen Byram was one of the hottest names in the NHL rumor mill throughout the 2025 offseason, which made sense given his status as a restricted free agent and the Buffalo Sabres' crowded depth chart at left defense, led by Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, who's typically tight-lipped about potential roster moves, even admitted the front office was willing to trade the defenseman for the right return before ultimately signing him to a two-year contract extension.
"We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player who can help our team win," Adams told reporters in July. "I've maintained the same position that if there's a deal out there that make sense for us that we think improves our roster, we're open to it. But if there's not, we're not in a situation where we're looking to move him out or looking to move him for futures and stuff like that."
Now we're seeing why Buffalo couldn't find a trade partner, and the reason is troubling for an organization with no shortage of problems as it sits in last place in the Eastern Conference.
Bowen Byram appears untradeable for the Buffalo Sabres amid terrible start to the 2025-26 NHL season
It doesn't matter from what angle you assess Byram's first 15 appearances of the new campaign because it all points to the same conclusion: He's a key reason for the Sabres' lack of success.
His baseline numbers are underwhelming. He's recorded just five points (one goal and four assists) with 20 blocked shots, 16 shots on goal and 11 hits. His plus-minus stands at minus-6.
Byram's analytics are even more concerning. He ranks last among Buffalo defensemen in expected goals for percentage at 5-on-5 (46.1%) and the Blue and Gold have been outscored 19-11 (36.7 GF%) in even-strength situations when he's on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick.
The eye test backs up the numbers. His average rating (4.7) in our Sabres player grades series is the lowest among among blueliners who've played at least 10 games.
Perhaps his lackluster play shouldn't come as a surprise since he finished last season with a 47.9% expected goals for percentage despite playing ample time with Dahlin.
So, a lot of teams probably proceeded with caution in trade talks with Adams about Byram, who simply hasn't lived up to expectations since a memorable playoff run with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Aside from that impressive 20-game run to a Stanley Cup title, the 24-year-old Canadian hasn't produced up to his draft pedigree. (The Avs selected him No. 4 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.)
Now, as another Sabres' season risks spiraling out of control, Byram's name will likely start popping up in trade rumors once again.
The bad news for Buffalo, however, is that the number of potential suitors will be limited because of the defender's poor play and his $6.25 million salary cap hit.
It may leaves Adams (or whomever takes over the Sabres front office) in a position where they have little choice but to keep him and hope his play improves.
That's because it's hard to imagine anybody would be willing to give up a high-impact forward, which is Buffalo's biggest need, for Byram in the coming months.