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Two Canadian Teams Linked to Top RFA Bowen Byram as Trade Imminent

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Julien Trekker | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 11:37 AM ET

A new report linked two Canadian teams to one of the best restricted free agents on the market: Buffalo Sabres' Bowen Byram.

This year's free agent market has been kind of dry, with most of the top talents signing deals or getting traded to teams before July 1st.

Especially at the blue line, where teams that were looking to bolster their defensive unit had to get creative, as we saw with the Montreal Canadiens acquiring Noah Dobson.

On the trade market, a few interesting players could change teams, with the most interesting one being Buffalo Sabres' Bowen Byram.

The Fourth Period shed light on his situation in their updated Summer Trade Watch List:

'All signs point to the Sabres moving Byram at some point this off-season. It's unclear what they are looking for at this stage, but his high contract demands coupled with Buffalo's desire to add a top-six forward have made him available.'

According to that report, many teams are interested, including two Canadian organizations: the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames.

The Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights are also interested, per the same report:

Byram, 24, has an incredibly high ceiling and could thrive with the right role in the right organization.

Last season, with the Sabres, Byram scored 38 points, including seven goals. In 246 career games with the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres, the 2022 Stanley Cup champion tallied 33 goals and 77 assists, and added 12 points, all assists, in 27 playoff games.

If the Sabres don't trade him, other teams could be tempted to poach Byram using an offer sheet, even though Buffalo confirmed they would match any offer sheet sent his way.

As of now, no indications as to when this could play out have emerged, meaning it could happen anytime from now until the start of the NHL 2025-26 regular season, especially if salary arbitration is required in Buffalo.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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