Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, 25, is right amongst the trade rumors once again ahead of the new NHL season. He was set to be a restricted free agent last summer before signing a two-year contract worth $6.25 million annual average value (AAV).

The Mug NHL account on X shared a take from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period about Bowen Byram’s status with just a year left on his deal with the Sabres.

“Bowen Byram is looking for upwards of $10 million annually on his next contract,” their post read on X.

In comparison to his current contract with Buffalo, the rise in salary that Byram wants for himself is seemingly a bit high. Although he has started to get into his own as a player in the NHL after joining the Sabres in March 2024 in a trade deal with the Colorado Avalanche.

Notably, Colorado selected Byram as the 4th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft before his debut in the Sabres colors happened in 2021. He played 146 regular-season games for 63 points (23G / 40A) along with .431 points per goal (PPG).

Byram scored 12 assists for the Avs in his 27 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances across two separate seasons. In the Cup-winning season in 2022 with them, he recorded nine assists in 20 playoff games.

Since joining the Sabres over two years ago, he has competed in 182 games in the regular season for 89 points (28G / 68A) along with .489 PPG.

In the 2025-26 season, he achieved his career-high stats by registering 42 points (11G / 31A) in 82 games at .512 PPG. During his first Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Sabres, he scored seven points, including four goals and three assists.

If Byram decides to see out his final year at the Sabres with more improved numbers on the ice, he could get his desired value from next season onwards. But whether it will be with Byram’s current franchise or a new one, the question is expected to intensify with the 2026-27 season approaching.

Are Teams Interested In signing Bowen Byram At His Valuation Next Season?

NHL insider Darren Dreger from TSN took to his official X account to give a detailed take on what’s happening in the market regarding Bowen Byram. According to him, there are “multiple teams” seriously interested in trading him despite knowing that he wants upwards of $10 million AAV for his next contract.

“Byram has 1 yr left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent,” Dreger wrote in his post on X.

He also alluded to Byram’s agent Darren Ferris having a “history with marching players to the open market.” It might give motivation to the teams to put him as a serious option for trade consideration ahead of the 2027-28 season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Moreover, despite the rumors, Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen has already talked about having Byram put pen to paper on a long-term deal, as per the report from Sabre Noise.

Will Bowen Byram continue to be a part of the Buffalo Sabres beyond the 2026-27 season? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi