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Elliotte Friedman Explains Implications of Sabres' Move on Bowen Byram

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 6:56 AM ET

The Buffalo Sabres have taken a calculated risk with defenseman Bowen Byram, whose contract expired on July 1, turning him into a restricted free agent.

On Sunday, right before the 5 p.m. ET deadline, Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that Buffalo had elected to file for salary arbitration in a move primarily geared toward blocking potential offer sheets from rival teams.

The decision, which was made by the team, gives huge leverage to the player and his agent, and could backfire not long after this offseason.

“Arbitration is one or two years, and if the team takes the player to arbitration, the player gets to pick the length of the award,” Friedman said.

UPDATE

On today’s episode of “32 Thoughts”, Elliotte Friedman discusses the Sabres arbitration options regarding Bowen Byram

Teams have until 5 PM to file for arbitration on RFA’s pic.twitter.com/RWejUK4p2t
— 2 Goalies 1 Mic (@2Goalies1Mic) July 6, 2025

"Since the team took (Byram) to arbitration, the player (and agent) pick the term of the award," Friedman explained. "If they wish, (they) could choose two-year deals and go directly to unrestricted free agency. Still time to decide."

If Byram opts for a one-year deal, he’ll remain a restricted free agent next summer and go through the same process once again.

But if Byram chooses a two-year contract at the salary deemed by the arbitrator, he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2026–27 season, giving him full control over his next destination.

The Sabres made the move just hours after Byram passed on filing for arbitration himself. Instead of risking facing offer sheets from other teams had the Sabres not taken him to arbitration, they will now have to deal with Byram's own decision.

“Not going to arbitration, you risk another kind of battle," Friedman said. "Taking him to arbitration, you risk him taking two years and going right to unrestricted free agency.”

Byram had 38 points in 82 regular-season games this past season and was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche before the 2024 trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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