NHL insider drops newest replace on Bowen Byram’s future with Sabres amid growing provide sheet speculations

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman up to date on Bowen Byram’s contract scenario with the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. Byram’s final contract was a two-year deal value $7.7 million with the Colorado Avalanche, however close to the 2024 commerce deadline, he was traded to the Sabres. He’s a restricted free agent after his contract ended on the finish of the season.

On Sunday’s episode of the “32 Ideas” podcast, Friedman stated Byram didn’t file for arbitration earlier than the participant deadline.

“The participant deadline to file was Saturday afternoon,” Friedman stated. (Timestamp: 46:38). “Now the Sabres can file Sunday afternoon by 5 PM this is the problem for Buffalo. What they’ve to contemplate is, in the event that they do, the participant will get to select the time period.”

If the Buffalo Sabres file by Sunday, Byram can select a one or two-year time period. A two-year deal would take him straight to unrestricted free company.

“Arbitration is one or two years, and if the staff takes the participant to arbitration, the participant will get to select the size of the award,” Friedman stated. “Undoubtedly, the sabers are conscious of this……. taking him to arbitration, you danger him taking two years and going proper to unrestricted free company, not going to arbitration, you danger one other sort of battle.”

If the Sabres don’t file, it retains the door open for one more staff to make a proposal sheet. Whereas provide sheets are uncommon, they’re nonetheless a chance on this case.

“It does depart open the choice of a proposal sheet, whether or not or not anybody believes it is truly going to occur,” Friedman stated.

Bowen Byram was drafted fourth by Colorado in 2019. He joined the Buffalo Sabres throughout the 2023–24 season. In 2024–25, he performed 82 video games and scored 38 factors with a +11 ranking. He has performed 246 NHL video games with 110 factors.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ feedback on Bowen Byram

Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams earlier stated that the staff will match any provide sheet for Bowen Byram. He stated they don’t seem to be seeking to commerce him except the return helps now, not sooner or later.

“If there’s a deal on the market that is sensible for us, that’s going to enhance our roster, we’re open to it,” Adams stated, as per my earlier column on Byram. “However we’re not in a scenario the place we’re seeking to transfer him out or transfer him for futures.”

Adams additionally stated the staff’s wage cap plan permits them to deal with a brand new contract for Byram. Buffalo needs to maintain him, however the scenario is hard.