The Bowen Byram Saga: What Is Going On

On June 23, 2026, the Chicago Blackhawks traded for Bowen Byram, then signed him to a massive six-year, $75 million extension on July 1. Since then, it’s been nothing but turmoil for Byram and the team.

Preseason

The Bowen Byram experiment started off hot for the Chicago Blackhawks. In the preseason, Byram recorded a hat trick in an overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. Through his two preseason games, he looked comfortable in the system and did well. Expectations were high for Byram as Chicago ramped up its season.

A Disappointing Start

Even though expectations were high in the Windy City, the team as a whole did not live up to them, and Bowen Byram was included. Through the first six games of the season, Chicago had a measly two power-play goals. Byram didn’t drive much offense either. In his six games, he has just five shots on goal on 21 attempts, which comes out to about two shots on goal for every 60 minutes he has played.

The eye test hasn’t been great either. Byram gave the puck away eight times in just six games and is a minus-7. So before this next stretch of days and weeks, Byram was already playing below expectations.

“Day To Day”

This saga starts following the Chicago Blackhawks’ second win of the year, a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 13. Bowen was able to tally his first point, an assist on Roman Kantserov’s power-play goal. Two days later, however, Byram was ruled day-to-day with an upper-body injury and missed the game against the Winnipeg Jets. He also sat out a 4-0 loss to the Dallas Stars. After that, the Blackhawks enjoyed a five-day break, and it was assumed Byram would return against the Montreal Canadiens.

He did not.

Nor did he return for the next three games, although he skated in a non-contact jersey numerous times, including on the Dad’s Trip. Finally, on Oct. 31, a bombshell came from Frank Seravalli on Chicago Sports Network’s pregame show. Bowen Byram was cleared; he just wasn’t comfortable.

Chicago Blackhawks fans were obviously taken aback by this. Byram had missed a game early, albeit for very good reasons: a family matter as his wife was expecting twins. And now the player the team traded the fourth overall pick for wasn’t comfortable playing? It didn’t sit right for a fanbase and city that at one point had been toughness personified. That night, Chicago would end up losing to Boston in overtime after blowing a 4-2 lead in the third period.

He Said, She Said, and Take Backs

Over the next two days, the tension was palpable. Online, everyone was on edge. Then Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill put a new name at the center of the Bowen Byram situation.

Frank Seravalli.

During morning skate on Nov. 2, members of the media noticed Byram was no longer on the ice. Afterward, Blashill took his place on the podium and said Bowen was seeing a specialist for the mysterious upper-body injury. He noted that Byram was not medically cleared, contradicting the report.