Buffalo Sabres trade former top-five pick Bowen Byram to central division team

The Sabres continue to trade pieces off their team, fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2011. First, Michael Kesselring to San Jose, and now, Bowen Byram.

With a difficult cap situation at the moment, the team may use this newfound cap space to make a final run at retaining fan-favourite Alex Tuch.

Byram is reportedly seeking over $10 million annually on his next contract. A huge number, that seems unreasonable on paper, but makes sense in terms of cap percentage with the rising limit.

Chicago is a team with tens of millions in cap space, now and long-term, and they'll be able to give Byram the contract he needs without roster cutting like the Sabres would have had to.

Byram was acquired by the Sabres in a one-for-one trade with the Colorado Avalanche for Casey Mittelstadt at the trade deadline in 2024.

The Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild may not stack up to other rebuilding teams of late, such as Montreal, but they do have a true superstar in Connor Bedard.

Bowen Byram will be the first true power play quarterback Bedard has had, and they could be explosive together. A stacked right handed defensive core, with Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Alex Vlasic, Byram's left handedness was crucial for this deal.

In return, the Sabres will receive the fourth overall pick from the Buffalo Sabres.

In addition to the fourth overall pick, other assets will head to Buffalo. The Sabres will dump Jordan Greenway's $4 million salary in the deal.

Full trade: