One of the areas that the Boston Bruins should aim to improve this off-season is their defensive group. Their top four, in particular, could use improvement, especially with the team trading Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2025 NHL trade deadline.
When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, one defenseman who could be a big-time addition to the Bruins' roster is Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.
Byram has been creating plenty of chatter in the rumor mill with the off-season here, and there appears to be a decent chance that he will be on the move. With this, the Bruins should seriously consider pursuing the 2019 fourth-overall pick.
Byram just had a strong season on a struggling Sabres team, as he scored seven goals and hit new career highs with 31 assists and 38 points in 82 games. He also sported a plus-11 rating, threw 75 hits, and recorded 116 blocks. Overall, with numbers like these, Byram provides a bit of everything in a big role.
While Byram is a left-shot defenseman, he is capable of playing the right side. This element of his game could make him a great fit for the Bruins, as they absolutely need to find an answer for the right side of their second pairing. Furthermore, Byram's strong two-way play would make him an option for both the Bruins' power play and penalty kill if acquired.
At just 24 years old, Byram is also at an age where he could be a long-term fit for the Bruins as they continue their retool. In addition, there is reason to believe he can still hit another level.
Nevertheless, with the Bruins needing help on defense, Byram would be a major pickup for them if acquired.
Bruins Rumors: Boston Linked To Former Draft Pick
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins</a> are expected to try to improve their defensive group this off-season. It is understandable, as they are coming off a bad season and undoubtedly need more stability on their backend.
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