OTP - Who Will Fill The Sabres Top-Six Hole? The Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/]have been creating plenty of chatter in the rumor mill lately [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/3-potential-trade-destinations-for-sabres-dylan-cozens]. It is understandable, as they are struggling big time, losing each of their last 10 games. Bowen Byram is one specific Sabre who has generated trade buzz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-star-continuing-to-generate-trade-buzz] this season, and now that is only continuing. Chris Johnston placed Byram at the No. 16 spot in his most recent trade board for The Athletic [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5999541/2024/12/17/nhl-trade-board-kreider-frederic-saad/]. Johnston wrote that while the Sabres are not actively shopping Byram, he could be the notable player that the Atlantic Division club uses to make a splash. There is no question that teams around the NHL would love to have the left-shot defenseman on their roster. He is a young top-four defenseman with a Stanley Cup on his resume. Bowen Byram [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNDcwNzc2NzQxMDc4MTc1/usatsi_24872968.jpg] Bowen Byram However, if the Sabres traded Byram, it would undoubtedly come with risk. The 23-year-old has emerged as an essential part of Buffalo's blueline and is having a solid season thus far. In 31 games, the 6-foot-1 defender has four goals, 14 assists, 18 points, and a plus-2 rating. With numbers like these, he is on pace to set new career highs offensively. It will be interesting to see if the Sabres end up using Byram as a trade chip to land an upgrade elsewhere. He is a pending restricted free agent with a $3.85 million cap hit.
