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Central Division Team Trying Hard' to Trade for Former Top-5 Pick: May Use Offer Sheet

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 5:50 PM ET

Bowen Byram is a name that's red-hot around the NHL at this point in time, and now, it appears the St. Louis Blues may be the team pushing hardest to land him as the trade market for the young defenseman heats up.

The NHL off-season has been a wild one thus far, and while we've seen some significant trades and free agent signings already, there's not been the amount of offer sheets yet that was expected.

One player that remains vulnerable to an offer sheet is Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, whose name has been in plenty of speculation in recent times, with many teams linked to the 24-year old former first-round pick.

Now, reporter Jeremy Rutherford has revealed that the St. Louis Blues are a team 'trying hard' to land Byram, and while they're looking at a trade, he doesn't count out the possibility of an offer sheet.

While the Blues laid out not one, but two offer sheets a year ago, Rutherford clarifies that in this situation, it's other teams that could be looking to give Byram one, not St. Louis.

The Blues made a surprise Stanley Cup Playoffs run last season, and this off-season they've looked to add talent, and while they're yet to land a big name to improve this roster, Byram would give them a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman to give this blue line even more depth.

Reportedly, teams like LA and Calgary among others are still also in on the Byram talks, so there's a chance that the Blues get outbid in the coming days and weeks, and while nothing concrete has happened with the Sabres young defenseman yet, it's a matter of when, not if.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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