Dreger: Byram trade being explored

[67 others]

Doubtful. There'll be a contingent that gets the huge money before they get anywhere near free agency. Makar, Kucherov, Hughes aren't getting anywhere near FA and even if they did they aren't signing in SJ.
There'll be a bunch of well past their prime pieces in Karlsson, Doughty, Spurgeon, Faulk, Gostisbehere etc. Maybe you get one of these guys to sign if you overpay them and give them stupid term. If you do, what exactly are you getting from these guys at the tail ends of their careers?
That leaves a pool of guys like Debrincat, Dunn, Chatfield, McCann, Marino, Zub, Batherson, Zacha, Ristolainen and potentially Byram. At which point the pool has thinned out considerably. Now take this pool of guys that are in the right age range for a young SJ team and conservatively eliminate half of them because they've re-signed with their teams or got moved to a team that re-upped them. That's about your best case scenario if your plan is to sit back and wait for players to hit FA in 2027.

Well see bud. When these guys sign their next deals at a much larger cap hit, it creates ripple effects. Teams need to move contracts, make space, adapt to the new normal asks. RFA's who file for arbitration who would have made 3m 2 years ago will now make 5, etc

Either way this year was the most barren UFA class in 2 decades and we knew it would be because no contracts were up, next year will yield more options

 

[Gabrielor]

L.A needs a left shot puckmover. He would be the perfect fit.

Would Mikey Anderson or Kevin Fiala be a centerpiece that Buffalo would consider. I am not sure what their needs are? Would they rather keep Byram and trade a guy like Powers?

Yes to Mikey. Byram for Mikey is a deal Buffalo should consider.

 

[Zarzh]

Yes. but last year in 2025 by may/June we already were looking at it saying "Not many people available 2026" even before the list shrunk July 1st

2027 year is going to be more fun as players see the flat cap dissipate and go for the honking big deals GM's will balk at. More than usual will go to test the market after their GM's balk at giving them Kaprisov money. Bank on it

Let's assume that Byram, Hughes, Hischier, and Makar aren't making it to free agency.

Is Vince Dunn even a better bet than Raddysh at this point?

 

[themelkman]

I've seen it mentioned that Byram wants to go somewhere he can be a top pairing dman....

Thats his right once he hits free agency. He has no say in that currently...it doesn't depress his value to the sabres. If the best offer comes from say Minnesota (just using an example) and he has to sit behind Hughes and Faber so be it. The Sabres don't have to take lesser offers because of what Byram wants. Once he hits free agency next summer then he can impose those wants.

Saying we have to trade him to a team in clear need of a top pair defender is asinine. We don't have to do anything at all. We can just run it back....its in his own best interest to play his best going into free agency so its not like he's gonna wanna tank his own value if he's unhappy...

Unfortunately he does have some control as he needs a new contact and can choose to not negotiate with a team which will lower his value.

 

[Jetskiis]

Byram and Ostlund for McCann and Evans? Seattle is really thin on the left side after Dunn and if they re-up McMann the blow of trading a top six winger would be lessened

Sabres can afford to give up a younger forward for a possible rental while Evans plays the right side a lot.

Benson-Norris-Thompson
McCann-Helenius-Doan
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Krebs-Carrick-Greenway

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Evans
Metsa-Timmins

McMann-Beniers-Eberle
Kakko-Wright-Nyman
Ostlund-Stephenson-Tolvanen
Catton-Gaudreau-Winterton

Dunn-Larsson
Byram-Montour
Lindgren-Fleury

If Buffalo dealt Byram to Seattle, and use the Dobson deal as a guide it would be something like:

Byram for 7

Where they would probably take Bjorck, that would be the only reason to trade up like that.
and there is debate whether or not Bjorck could jump straight to the NHL next season, I would say yes.

And Byram easily takes top pair from Dunn, Seattle should probably then flip Dunn since he's a pending UFA

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Dobson is a good comparison in my opinion. Dobson might have a slight edge in value because he has been consistent longer but I think Bo Byram is not far behind in value.

Dobson has also been a 1d before as well and flashed much higher offensive potential ( 70 pt season ) . Additionally right handed and bigger . I get what you’re saying but there would definitely be a value gap imo; and not a tiny one .

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

If Buffalo dealt Byram to Seattle, and use the Dobson deal as a guide it would be something like:

Byram for 7

Where they would probably take Bjorck, that would be the only reason to trade up like that.
and there is debate whether or not Bjorck could jump straight to the NHL next season, I would say yes.

And Byram easily takes top pair from Dunn, Seattle should probably then flip Dunn since he's a pending UFA

Dunn is no slouch . Not sure why it would be a slam dunk that he’d take the lead role . I could be wrong but isn’t Dunn decent defensively in addition to being an asset offensively ?

 

[Jetskiis]

Dunn is no slouch . Not sure why it would be a slam dunk that he’d take the lead role . I could be wrong but isn’t Dunn decent defensively in addition to being an asset offensively ?

Larsson's on the right side. Would let Byram really let loose. and like I said, they should just trade Dunn since he will be a UFA in a year. if they got byram on a sign and trade

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Larsson's on the right side. Would let Byram really let loose. and like I said, they should just trade Dunn since he will be a UFA in a year. if they got byram on a sign and trade

But isn’t that kinda just moving the chairs around ? Is Byram actually the better player ?

 

[thadd]

Since Dregger/Eklund reported this, I'll assume the opposite is true.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

If Buffalo dealt Byram to Seattle, and use the Dobson deal as a guide it would be something like:

Byram for 7

Where they would probably take Bjorck, that would be the only reason to trade up like that.
and there is debate whether or not Bjorck could jump straight to the NHL next season, I would say yes.

And Byram easily takes top pair from Dunn, Seattle should probably then flip Dunn since he's a pending UFA

Lol Byram is a year away from UFA, Dobson was an RFA. Those are not comparable scenario's. Nobody is giving you a top 10 pick for Byram, don't be absurd.

Also no Byram does not easily take the top spot away from Dunn. Hell he probably doesn't even push Montour off the powerplay

 

[Jetskiis]

But isn’t that kinda just moving the chairs around ? Is Byram actually the better player ?

I would say yes, but let's say you think it is close, Byram is also 4 years younger, and fits their building core timeline better.

 

[sd1976]

All this concussion talk and look at Crosby. Case in point. Dude went home to drink home made soup for nearly a full year. Multiple concussions. He’s been fine since.

Except his issue was discovered not to be concussion based at all. He had an undiagnosed neck issue that once it was resolved, never happened again. Nice try though.

 

[sd1976]

Lol Byram is a year away from UFA, Dobson was an RFA. Those are not comparable scenario's. Nobody is giving you a top 10 pick for Byram, don't be absurd.

Also no Byram does not easily take the top spot away from Dunn. Hell he probably doesn't even push Montour off the powerplay

lol Dobson was an RFA. But he was one year away from UFA so it was identical.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

lol Dobson was an RFA. But he was one year away from UFA so it was identical.

No it isn't. Dobson was eligible for an extension when the trade was made. Byram is not eligible for an extension until July 1st at the earliest.

Also Dobson was only 1 year away if he signed a 1 year deal, Byram is one year away unless he signs an extension post trade

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Byram+One of Ostlund or Helenius for Jason Robertson.

 

[Jetskiis]

Byram+One of Ostlund or Helenius for Jason Robertson.

why would dallas need a LHD? highly doubt byram would extend there he wouldnt be sniffing top pair there

 

[sd1976]

No it isn't. Dobson was eligible for an extension when the trade was made. Byram is not eligible for an extension until July 1st at the earliest.

Also Dobson was only 1 year away if he signed a 1 year deal, Byram is one year away unless he signs an extension post trade

They were both 1 year away from being UFAs. What aren’t you getting?

 

[Djp]

No it isn't. Dobson was eligible for an extension when the trade was made. Byram is not eligible for an extension until July 1st at the earliest.

Also Dobson was only 1 year away if he signed a 1 year deal, Byram is one year away unless he signs an extension post trade

On july 1 byram can be extended.

They are the same

 

[Satanphonehome]

Byram’s numbers are virtually identical to Dobson’s over the past two years.

Yes Dobson had a 70-point year three years ago. He piled up those points running a PP which Byram has never done thanks to Rasmus Dahlin.

It’s OK to say “personally I think my guy is way better”.

But in terms of resumes, measurables and where they are/were in their careers, you won’t find many better comparables.

 

[Sharksfan83]

Sharks are still his team, he fits the age group, he can be the #1D on a team behind Celebrini.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Byram+One of Ostlund or Helenius for Jason Robertson.

That’s funny..

 

[FlyguyOX]

I don’t understand him wanting to be paid like a #1 when he hasn’t been a #1

 

[Satanphonehome]

I don’t understand him wanting to be paid like a #1 when he hasn’t been a #1

In his mind - or the story his agent is telling - he’s never had the opportunity, spending his entire career on teams with two of the best defencemen in the world.

 

[Beerz]

I don’t understand him wanting to be paid like a #1 when he hasn’t been a #1

Well what is #1 money now?