Breaking Down New NHL Trade Rumors Surrounding Sabres and Bo Byram Ahead of 2026 Draft, Free Agency

The Buffalo Sabres exceeded expectations this season, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

As the team looks to free up cap space, though, it may need to shed some of the players who helped them achieve their return to prominence in 2025-26, beginning with budding star defenseman Bo Byram.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported on X:

"Multiple teams exploring a trade with the Buffalo Sabres involving Dman, Bo Byram. Byram has 1 yr left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted Free Agent. Agent, Darren Ferris has some history with marching players to the open market. Motivation for trade consideration."

Byram enjoyed a career-high 42-point season, with 11 goals and 31 assists. His +/- of +15 was a career high and he averaged over 22 minutes for the second consecutive season.

A star of the future who has flashed on-ice brilliance that should earn him a starting pair position, he is on a Sabres squad that already has Rasmus Dahlin filling that spot.

Coming off of the season he had, there will be plenty of interest in acquiring a 25-year-old Stanley Cup winner (with Colorado) who has fresh legs and high upside. That he carries a $6.25 million cap hit makes it worthwhile for Buffalo to explore a trade, despite Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen previously expressing interest in signing Byram to a long-term contract.

The Sabres do not have another player of Byram's caliber behind him, making a prospective trade a risky proposition, but if the organization is not going to utilize him to his fullest potential, he is more valuable as a trade chip.

At least, that is, as long as they can get a decent haul in return. Anything less would be a massive misfire on the part of the front office and could prove to be a setback for an organization that appeared to right the ship this year.