Trade Proposal Links Maple Leafs to Bowen Byram in Massive Deal
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
A new trade proposal from Heavy.com's Caleb Kerney has the Maple Leafs acquiring Buffalo Sabres star defenseman Bowen Byram for a package headlined by Brandon Carlo.
There are a lot of discussions surrounding a potential trade involving the Toronto Maple Leafs. Whether it's for a top-six forward or an offensive presence on the back end, the rumors are rampant and speculation is running wild.
Linked to names like Dougie Hamilton, Erik Karlsson, Jared McCann, Nazem Kadri, and pretty much everyone else under the sun, there are no shortage of potential options but a lot of them seem like a pipe dream.
The Trade Proposal Sending Carlo, Robertson and Jarnkrok Out for Bowen Byram
However for analyst Caleb Kerney of Heavy.com, he believes the Maple Leafs can put together a good enough package to bring in a huge name to add to their defensive corps and have their new #1 defenseman.
In a recent article, Kerney has the Maple Leafs trading Brandon Carlo, Nick Robertson, and Calle Jarnkrok to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for young star defenseman Bowen Byram.
He explains his reasoning for the deal and how it could potentially play out:
This proposal would be a massive deal for both clubs. Byram is the young, puck-moving defender that the team desires. Brandon Carlo immediately fills in on the Buffalo Sabres' top pairing with Rasmus Dahlin. The Sabres also receive two forwards who can play in their middle-six.
He's not wrong. The Maple Leafs really do need a proper puck mover on the back end, and adding someone so young to an aging defensive group is a huge positive for Brad Treliving.
Losing Carlo hurts given that Rielly needs a true defensive partner, but it might end up being a case of Rielly having to be paired with Chris Tanev is order to cover for his mistakes, meanwhile Byram and McCabe can handle top line duties.
Why Bowen Byram's Value Stands Out on the Trade Market
Though it would cause a lot of lineup shuffling for the Maple Leafs, you can't deny that adding Byram wouldn't be an improvement, and also a huge theft from one of their biggest rivals.
Only 24 years old, he's a perfect blend of size, speed and hands with the potential to be a 45-50 point player regularly while adding nearly triple digits in hits and blocks; he's a true two-way menace on the blueline.
In 82 games last season, Byram recorded 38 points (7 goals, 31 assists) and has 110 points in 246 career games.
He was part of a blockbuster deal sending Casey Mittelstadt from Buffalo to Colorado, a deal that could be argued was a huge mistake on behalf of the Avalanche given they could have had both Byram and Cale Makar.
Buffalo is going to want a king's ransom for their young defenseman, and things might be a bit harder to work out given how heated the rivalry is; why would Buffalo want to help Toronto without squeezing them dry?
But if they are struggling again and can't find their footing in the tough Atlantic Division, they may decide to recoup what they can get for Bowen Byram and you can bet the Maple Leafs will be at the ready.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 4 | 1175 ANSWERS Trade Proposal Links Maple Leafs to Bowen Byram in Massive Deal Do you think Toronto would be overpaying Buffalo for Bowen Byram? | ||
| Yes | 852 | 72.5 % |
| No | 323 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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