Bowen Byram is dominating the playoffs, Buffalo has no room for him and the Maple Leafs need to make the call
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have their Morgan Rielly successor eyed in Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.
The Buffalo Sabres have managed a successful reclamation project in Bowen Byram, turning the former fourth overall pick needing a change of scenery into a top defenseman for the team.
Byram, 24, hit career highs this season with Buffalo, scoring 11 goals, 31 assists, & 42 points in 82 games, along with four goals and six points in seven games this postseason.
A key member of the Sabres playoff round, Byram has emerged as a reliable offensive leader and power play quarterback from the Buffalo blueline, he's what Toronto once had with Morgan Rielly, and they need next.
Byram has been dominating the playoffs and his game proves he is exactly what Chayka identified as the Maple Leafs biggest priority
Bowen Byram is playing a similar role as Morgan Rielly did in his prime, and now entering the later years of his career, the need for the next Rielly leads to Byram as the type of player Toronto needs for the next chapter.
Rielly, 31, has dropped off in production over the last two seasons, having just 36 points in 78 games for Toronto, questioning how long Rielly can continue to be Toronto's number one defenseman.
Like Rielly, Byram is a left-handed defenseman, someone who would be a perfect stylistic replacement for Rielly as a long-term option. Of course, the young Sabres would rather not part with their key defenseman.
Byram being dealt would take him out of the shadow of Sabres defensemen and former first overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, opening up Byram to be a proper NHL #1.
Buffalo has Owen Power signed long term and Rasmus Dahlin as captain and there is no room for Byram on the left side
With Dahlin, Power, & Matias Samuelsson all signed long-term by Buffalo, it creates uncertainty about Byram being a moving piece on an expensive blueline.
Byram's contract ends after next season, currently signed to a $6.25M contract that could increase after the season, and he won't be the only signing Buffalo has to make.
Power, who has been playing on the right side, fits more on his natural left, which could spell uncertainty about how Byram would fit if Power is moved back to the left side behind Dahlin and ahead of Byram.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, with new GM John Chayka saying the blueline needs a fix, could offer the veteran RHD help that the Sabres need in Oliver Ekman-Larsson, along with a top prospect or high pick.
Ekman-Larsson, and one of their two 2027 second round picks, could be the foundation of a deal that can get Byram to Toronto.
The move would allow for Toronto to add to their left side in Byram, and add one or two RHD free agents in free agency, potentially headlined by Darren Raddysh or Rasmus Andersson.
The Buffalo Sabres won't want to give up Bowen Byram. But with their left-hand side of the defense movable, and the right-side needing help, a necessary swap may be the best bet for both sides goals.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Both Matthews and McKenna's camps just spoke and the reactions are exactly what Leafs fans were hoping to hear
Both Matthews and McKenna's camps just spoke and the reactions are exactly what Leafs fans were hoping to hear
Previously on Hockey Patrol