Chicago Blackhawks on verge of acquiring defenseman

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Chicago Blackhawks on verge of acquiring defenseman

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated Jun 23, 2026 11:18 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of making a big trade ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday night. And the move will give them a key defenseman they have been searching for.

Per Elliotte Friedman , the Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres are in discussions that will send defenseman Bowen Byram to Chicago. In exchange for Byram, the Sabres will acquire the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft as well as players.

Full trade, per sources:

To #Blackhawks:
LD Bowen Byram
LW Jordan Greenway

To #Sabres:
2026 CHI 1st Round Pick (No. 4 overall)
2026 NYI 2nd Round Pick (No. 45 overall)
LD Louis Crevier

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 24, 2026

The 25-year-old Byram is a former fourth overall pick in 2019 and won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. He’s coming off a career year with Buffalo, recording 11 goals, 31 assists and 42 points in 82 games. He scored four goals in 13 playoff games for the Sabres.

For the Blackhawks, this move makes sense as it will line up Byram with the Connor Bedard timeline. Chicago wants to acquire young talent to pair with Bedard and Byram is better than any free-agent option out there.

With the Blackhawks struggling on the back line, this move helps solidify the defense. Byram is in the final year of a two-year deal that is worth $12.5 million. Chicago will likely agree to a long-term deal with Byram as the deal becomes finalized.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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