Going back to Buffalo in the Mittelstadt trade was Bowen Byram, who made an instant impact with his new team. The defender kicked off his Sabres tenure with a two-point game against the
Nashville Predators before scoring another pair of goals two games later against
Detroit.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, and last Thursday’s performance against the
Edmonton Oilers was a prime example. In Byram’s five-on-five minutes, Buffalo was out-attempted 27-17 and outchanced 19-6. There is a huge gap in star power between the Oilers and Sabres, but take his play against Detroit in a crucial game a few days prior. The Red Wings had a 19-12 edge in shot attempts and 8-4 in scoring chances with Byram deployed.
Through nine games, the Sabres have outscored opponents 11-10 with Byram on the ice, but have fallen below break-even in expected goals.
It’s not that the Byram addition won’t work out. Some of the underlying numbers are just a reality check that pairs with the flash and scoring he brought off the bat. This deal hinges more on his potential in the long run versus what he brings right now, and it likely will take a minute for Byram to adjust to this new top-pair role
and his new team. The Sabres have seen glimpses of that potential — from how well his breakout ability pairs with Dahlin’s puck retrievals to the movement he adds to a stagnant power play.
Last Sunday, Byram showed how much he can help his team tilt the ice as well, helping the Sabres earn 14 scoring chances over the
Flames while conceding only four. He thrived against the Red Wings in his third game with the Sabres, too.
The key will be finding a more consistent level. When Byram does that, the hype around Buffalo’s young, skilled blue line will amp up.