Bowen Byram Reportedly Traded to Blackhawks, Sabres Land Top 5 2026 NHL Draft Pick, More

The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly acquiring blue-liner Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres for the No. 4 overall pick in the NHL draft, the No. 45 pick and Louis Crevier, per NHL insider Frank Seravalli.

Byram, 25, played all 82 games this season for the Sabres, registering 11 goals and 31 assists in 22 minutes and 20 seconds per game. He was plus-15 on the season.

Trading the No. 4 pick for a defenseman in Byram, who wasn't a top-line option for the Sabres last season, certainly comes as a surprise. Clearly Chicago feels he can be a defensive anchor for them, however.

But more than a few folks were scratching their heads at the trade from Chicago's perspective:

Greenway, 29, appeared in 40 games for the Sabres last season, scoring a goal and adding five assists. He was minus-10 on the year.

Crevier, 25, played 78 games last season on the blue line, putting up seven goals and 18 assists. He was minus-two.

With the NBA draft on Tuesday night and the World Cup in full swing, the most surprising moment from the world of sports may have been the Byram trade. Chicago is wagering that a sure thing in Byram will prove more valuable than the No. 4 selection. It's undoubtedly a gamble.