The pickings are slim in this summer's free-agent market, particularly for top four defensemen. That has NHL teams seeking blueline depth returning to the trade market.
Bowen Byram remains the hot topic in recent media rumor chatter. Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams told reporters last week he'd match any offer sheet from a rival club. With the Sabres taking the 24-year-old RFA to arbitration, he's ineligible to sign an offer sheet.
The Sabres can still trade Byram before his arbitration hearing. Some observers feel the blueliner could be peddled for a top-six winger.
On Thursday, The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford reported a league source claimed the St. Louis Blues were “trying hard” to get Byram. His colleague, Matthew Fairburn, reiterated that if Byram hits the trade block, the Sabres would want a return that immediately helps their roster.
Fairburn speculated that such a deal could contain multiple players, like the return they received from the Utah Mammoth for JJ Peterka last month. Fairburn also suggested the Sabres could package Byram with a pick or prospect to get a better player.
Rutherford and Fairburn also looked at what the Blues might have to give up to the Sabres to land Byram. They felt he could slot in on the right side of their second defense pairing to replace Justin Faulk if he were part of the return to the Sabres.
Faulk, 33, has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. If the Sabres are on his list, the Blues would have to find another trade partner to take him off their hands.
Both writers felt the Sabres would want a good young player (like Jake Neighbours) included in the deal.
Turning to the New York Rangers, Larry Brooks of the New York Post wondered why there hasn't been any news about a contract extension for Artemi Panarin. The 33-year-old left winger is in the final season of his contract and is UFA-eligible next July.
Brooks believes the Rangers can't let Panarin go. Since coming to New York in 2019, he's been the fourth-highest-scoring player in the NHL. Having him on the roster could also make the Blueshirts an enticing destination for future free agents. Brooks thinks Panarin might agree to a four-year extension.
Panarin could be keen to remain with the Rangers after this season. However, much will depend on their performance in the wake of GM Chris Drury's roster retooling efforts since December. Another disappointing season could prompt Panarin to take his talents elsewhere.
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