HIGHLIGHTS
- Bowen Byram inked a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Buffalo on Monday night
- The $6.25 million AAV walks the 24-year-old defenseman straight to unrestricted free agency
- Read below for what this means for Byram’s future and Buffalo’s blueline plans
The Buffalo Sabres and Bowen Byram dodged the arbitration bullet Monday night.
Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK broke the news first, with Elliotte Friedman adding the financial details: two years, $12.5 million total.
That works out to $6.25 million per year for a young defenseman who’s finally hitting his stride after years of injury issues.
The Perfect Bridge Deal
This contract feels just right. Byram gets a nice raise from his previous $3.85 million per year. He also stays on track to hit unrestricted free agency at 26, giving him control of his future.
The timing couldn’t be better either. Byram just put together his best NHL season, posting 38 points (seven goals) while playing all 82 games. That’s huge for a player whose early career was derailed by head injuries.
He led the Sabres with 116 blocked shots and averaged nearly 23 minutes a game next to Rasmus Dahlin. Together, they controlled 54% of expected goals at even strength.
Adams Keeps Options Open
Buffalo had filed for team-elected arbitration earlier this month, which prevented other teams from making offer sheets. GM Kevyn Adams made his stance clear:
“We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player who can help our team win,” Adams said. “But if there is a deal out there that makes sense for us, that is going to improve our roster, we’re open to it.”
In other words, they’re not actively shopping Byram, but they’ll listen if teams call.
That makes sense. Buffalo pulled off a smart deal at last year’s trade deadline, flipping Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Byram. The Avs already moved Mittelstadt to Boston for Charlie Coyle. Meanwhile, Byram’s thriving in Buffalo.
The Bigger Picture
But don’t get too comfortable, Sabres fans.
This bridge deal is clearly a “prove it” contract. Byram hits free agency in two years, and if the Sabres aren’t in playoff contention by next summer, they could deal him to recoup assets.
The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011. That’s 14 years and counting. If Byram helps end that drought, this deal looks brilliant. If not? Well, at least they’ll get something back in a trade.
For now, Buffalo keeps their top-pairing lefty next to Dahlin. The duo controlled 54% of expected goals at five-on-five last season. That’s a solid foundation.
What’s Next?
Byram’s come a long way from those injury-plagued seasons in Colorado. He’s got a Stanley Cup ring, career-high numbers from last year, and now a fat new contract.
The question is whether he’ll stick around long enough to see the Sabres actually make the playoffs. With this bridge deal, both sides bought themselves some time to figure that out.
But the clock’s ticking in Buffalo. It always is.
