Greg Wyshynskijul 14, 2025, 11:01 PM ET
Closegreg Wyshynski is a senior NHL writer at ESPN.
The Buffalo Sabres signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension to restricted free agent defender Bowenbyram as speculation about his future with the team continues.
The transaction averages $6.25 million per year against the salary cap.
The 24-year-old defensive is away from his most productive season in the NHL, earning a plus-11 rating with 38 points (7 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games. Bylam averaged 22:42 ice times per game. In the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by Colorado, Byram has 110 points (33 goals, 77 assists) in 246 career games against the Avalanche and the Sabres.
Byram had arbitration rights, but he chose not to use them. Instead, the Sabres decided earlier this month to take Byram to pay arbitration.
Byram was expected to opt for a two-year arbitration term taken to unlimited free agency in 2027. Rather than passing the hearing, both parties agreed to a new deal offering Sabers Defenseman’s third-highest AAV behind Rasmus Dahlin ($11 million) and Owen Power ($8.35 million).
All offseasons about Byram’s future with the Sabres, including whether the team will bid him on an offer sheet before Buffalo is selected for arbitration. GM Kevyn Adams said earlier this month that Sabers would match any offer sheet, but confirmed that Buffalo will entertain the Defence’s trade offer.
The offer sheet simply regained the draft pick as compensation for the saver. Adams said he wasn’t about to ship Briam for future assets, but now he wasn’t about to ship for players who help the Sabres.
“We believe Bo is a great hockey player who can help his team win,” Adams said. “If there’s a deal that makes sense to us, if we think we’re going to improve our roster, we’re open to it. If not, we’re not in a situation where we want to get him out or move him for the future.”
The Sabres are about to end the NHL Records Postseason drought that last qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2011.
