The Buffalo Sabres re-signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a two-year contract on Monday. The deal carries an average annual value of $6.25 million dollars per season. The new contract enables the parties to avoid a pending team-elected salary arbitration hearing.
The new contract temporarily ends the uncertainty of the situation. However, it does not bode well for a long-term continuation of the player-team relationship. Byram will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027.
Basically, the player bet on himself that there will be a more lucrative long-term contract for him elsewhere in two years. Per the terms of the contract the Sabres negotiated with agent Darren Ferris, Byram received an immediate $1 million signing bonus and a $5.25 million base salary during the 2025-26 season. Next year, he’ll earn $6.25 million during the season. Ferris’ client did not ask for any other clauses, such as a partial no-trade in the final year.
In other words, Byram is willing to go anywhere else and then become a UFA in two summers.
Marriage of convenience (for now) with Byram
Byram’s future was a hot topic of conversation throughout the league since the regular season ended in mid April. It’s no secret that the Sabres explored te trade market for Byram. However, general manager Kevyn Adams was dissatisfied with the offers he received.
The Sabres, of course, traded JJ Peterka to Utah for a rather modest return (Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring). Consequently, the Sabres likely received low-ball offers for Byram, too. The player, meanwhile, entered into a short-term marriage of convenience to stay in Buffalo for now. The odds are high of an eventual trade in 2025-26 or especially prior to the 2026-27 trade deadline.
Byram, 24, is coming off a solid season for the Sabres. The skilled blueliner contributed seven goals among his 38 points. Additionally, he appeared in all eighty-two regular season games for Buffalo in 2024-25.
Paired with Dahlin
Byram displayed his best form when teamed with captain Rasmus Dahlin. There is no doubt this pairing will see considerable time together again in the coming season.
Meanwhile, the Sabres will likely give Byram a look on the power play. The Sabres need significant improvement on special teams if they are to inch closer to competing in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
Buffalo failed to utilize Byram as an asset to improve its roster this summer. Nevertheless, keeping the player makes the current roster picture a bit brighter. Additionally, the player should be in a good frame of mind. Salary arbitration proceedings can often be stressful and contentious. The two sides averted that process.
This new pact between the Sabres and Byram is the best short-term outcome for both sides heading into the 2025-26 season. Now, it’s up to the player and the team to make the most of it.
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Will the recently signed Radim Myrtka hurry the Sabers to trading Byram???? Some say he may be able to have 3rd pairing duties right out of the gate!