The Flames should pursue Bowen Byram as a trade target

As the off-season is set in full swing, the Calgary Flames will be connected to many players over the next few months. Trades are something to watch out for, as Craig Conroy continues to look to build towards the future.

One player that has been mentioned extensively is Bowen Byram. The Buffalo Sabres defenceman seems to be on top of many trade lists this summer, as his time as a Sabre may be coming to an end. The Sabres have also been reported to be gauging the market for Byram for trade interest.

The Flames have been one of many teams that have been mentioned as potential suitors for the 23-year-old. If Byram is made available, the Flames should look to take a shot at him. Let’s explore this idea further.

Background on Byram

Byram spent his junior career with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, where he made a name for himself as a promising offensive defenceman. He would get drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, but has yet to reach his potential fully.

Injuries have played a major part in Byram’s NHL career so far. He hasn’t been able to fully be healthy as before this season, the highest total of games he played in a season was 55. Byram would spend four years with the Avalanche before getting traded to the Sabres in a one-for-one swap for Casey Mittelstadt last season.

This season, Byram managed to stay healthy, appearing in all 82 games for the Sabres. He put up a career-high 38 points, scoring seven goals, and finally looked like the defenceman he was drafted to become. Byram is set to be an RFA this summer, but there’s a good chance that Buffalo will trade him instead of signing him to a new deal.

Why the Flames should express interest in Byram

With Byram being a likely trade target, the Flames would be a convincing fit. For starters, his age is what makes his acquisition most appealing. He fits Conroy’s timeline and would be a part of the Flames’ long-term future. I believe there is still untapped potential with Byram, and he may need the right situation for him to unlock it.

There’s also the fact that the Flames are very likely to move on from Rasmus Andersson this summer. With him traded, it leaves space for the creation of a younger blueline. While the Flames are set on the right side, the left side could still use improvements, and Byram would fit that hole quite well. Here’s an example of potential defensive pairings if this were to occur:

Kevin Bahl – MacKenzie Weegar

Bowen Byram – Zayne Parekh

Ilya Solovyov/Jake Bean – Brayden Pachal/Hunter Brzustewicz

Not too shabby for where the Flames are at. Byram would be a significant improvement in the top four over someone like Jake Bean or Daniil Miromanov. MacKenzie Weegar would also be able to move back to his natural side on the right, even though he’s played on the left side many times.

The cons behind the Flames acquiring Byram

With every player, there are certain cons associated with the idea of trading for them, and Byram is no exception.

There’s the obvious con being his health. Would Byram be healthy enough to be able to contribute meaningfully, or would injuries get the best of him again? Giving up assets for a player with a concerning history of injuries can certainly be interpreted as a gamble.

Then there’s also his contract status. Byram will be an RFA, but how much money would he be asking for? It would likely be significant given his pedigree, and while the Flames have cap space, you can’t afford to give out a contract that you’ll regret later on.

There is a risk that comes with acquiring Byram, but a change of scenery could do wonders for him. He’s shown that he can stay healthy, and when he’s on his game, he’s an effective top-four defenceman.

Should the Flames pursue Byram?

I wouldn’t mind seeing the Flames take a gamble on Byram. He’s young, effective and would round out the left side of the Flames’ blueline quite nicely. However, it would have to be for the right price.

Who knows what pieces the Sabres are looking for in return for him. They could want significant assets, and it would have to make sense for both parties to make a deal. It’s important to note that the Sabres wouldn’t want futures only, as they want to get back into the playoffs.

Trading a player like Andersson wouldn’t make sense, as it’s unlikely he would agree to go to Buffalo, and the Sabres already have enough defenders. I doubt any other veteran player would make sense either, as they likely wouldn’t be appealing for the Sabres to pull the trigger.

Therefore, I only see the Flames offering draft picks and prospects to acquire Byram. Things could change, but it’s unlikely any roster player alone gets it done. The Flames would likely have to dip into their prospect pool to offer a player appealing enough for the Sabres. We’ll see what happens, but expect Calgary to be in the thick of rumors until a resolution is reached.