The Buffalo Sabres and their situation with defenseman Bowen Byram was cleared up slightly. On Saturday, the restricted free agent chose not to file for salary arbitration, keeping the possibility of an offer sheet as an option. On Sunday, the club elected to go to arbitration with young blueliner.  

Byram, 24, is two years away from unrestricted free agency, and is rumored to be looking for a trade from the Sabres since his pathway to a long-term contract extension is blocked by former top overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. With the threat of an offer sheet now gone, GM Kevyn Adams may focus on trade options for Byram, but recent reports have indicated that Buffalo has not been happy with the offers made.   

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According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Byram’s camp headed by agent Darren Ferris, can determine the length of the deal in the yet to be scheduled arbitration hearing. If Ferris chooses two years, it would allow Byram to become an unrestricted free agent at 26 years old. Ferris has a history of advocating his clients to play out their contracts and test free agency, as other clients Mitch Marner and Sam Bennett did last week. 

The Sabres are reportedly looking for a player-for-player deal for Byram and not a trade comprised of future picks and prospects. Jeremy Rutherford of the Athletic reported earlier this week that the St. Louis Blues were in hot pursuit of the blueliner, while  the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that the San Jose Sharks are also interested in Byram.  

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