The Buffalo Sabres traded defenseman Michael Kesselring to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, but may not be done. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that multiple teams are calling the Sabres about a Bowen Byram trade.
“Multiple teams exploring a trade with the Buffalo Sabres involving Dman, Bo Byram. Byram has 1 yr left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted Free Agent. Agent, Darren Ferris has some history with marching players to the open market. Motivation for trade consideration,” Dreger reported.
Byram and the Sabres had a long contract standoff before the 2025-26 season. He was a restricted free agent and only signed a two-year deal, which would bring him to unrestricted free agency as early as possible. Now, even with a new general manager running the show in Buffalo, his time could be coming to an end.
Byram was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche and traded to the Sabres during the 2023-24 season. In 182 games in Buffalo, he has 89 points and added seven points in 13 playoff games this spring. Even though the on-ice results have been strong, the Sabres and Byram can’t seem to agree on a contract.
If the Sabres do trade him, it could be after July 1. That way, his new team could immediately sign Byram to an extension. That even opens up the possibility of a sign-and-trade, giving him one more year of security with the new club.
The Sabres should prioritize an NHL-caliber forward in return for Byram. They traded up in the draft to part with Kesselring, but should get an Alex Tuch replacement for Byram. Could Shane Wright from the Seattle Kraken or Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks make sense as return targets?
The Sabres needed more scoring to get past the Montreal Canadiens. But if they lose Kesselring and Byram, a new defenseman may need to join the squad as well.
The post NHL rumors: Next Sabres defenseman who could be traded after Michael Kesselring appeared first on ClutchPoints.
