The Buffalo Sabres have a pair of restricted free agents defenseman Bowen Byram and winger JJ Peterka that seem to be at the center of the NHL rumor mill. Peterka has been mentioned as potential offer sheet target, while Byram – who is arbitration eligible and two years away from unrestricgted free agency is rumored to be looking for an opportunity to be paid at the level of a top-pairing defenseman, which is unlikely in Buffalo with former top overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power signed to long-term deals. 

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported on Wednesday that the 23-year-old blueliner is generating plenty of interest on the trade market from multiple clubs exploring a potential trade with the Sabres. Byram was acquired from Colorado just before the trade deadline in March, 2024 in exchange for center Casey Mittelstadt and scored a career-high 38 points last season for the Sabres.  

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The Sabres abundant depth on the left side makes Byram a prime trade target, but Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams is undoubtedly looking for a hockey deal and not one involving prospects or draft picks.  has been shopping the 23-year-old. Byram has the ability to be a top pairing blueliner and power play quarterback, which gives the Sabres an advantage of generating a brisk market for clubs looking for a puck-riushing offensive defenseman.

Buffalo also has the advantage of being able to go to salary arbitration with Byram and avoid a holdout. The Sabres will likely look to acquire a right-handed defenseman in exchange, since they may have to play Dahlin on his off-side, along with veteran Connor Clifton and newly-acquired Jacob Bernard-Docker. 

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