Speculation: Is Bowen Byram available? or will be? Lots of speculation about him from the "insiders"

Fjordy

Registered User
Jun 20, 2018
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9,325
Is Byram really going to be a centerpiece for a trade for a top-line center, though?

I couldn't see Vancouver, for example, entertaining trading Pettersson with Byram being a core piece.

I could see something like Byram for Norris being potentially appealing.
Well, it wouldn't be just Byram, but also Cozens, plus probably something else.

As I understand it, Ottawa doesn't need Byram, they have Chabot and Sanderson.
 

Zman5778

Moderator
Oct 4, 2005
26,757
25,472
Cressona/Reading, PA
Serious question from someone who hasn't paid enough attention to him lately, is Cozens a successful #2 now, or is that you project him to be. I will do some looking, but curious to know how you feel his development is going.

There are many on the Buffalo board....and now a few in the Buffalo media.....who question if Cozens is actually a center, or if he is better off at wing.

But is he a successful #2 right now? Goodness, no. He is the driver of the "Buffalo struggle bus", while Jack Quinn is holding down the gas pedal on said bus. His defense is solid enough, and he's generating a lot of shots......but not a lot of those shots are high quality/good chance of going in. So there is (or should be) a fair bit of hope that he's adjusting to what Ruff wants, and then will start playing to his #2C capability.

I think the biggest issue in his development is that he seems to think that he should be this high-volume shooter who should be/needs to be scoring 30-40 goals a year when he needs to focus on being a well-rounded PITA to play against. I've long held that he should/could be the Kings' version of Jeff Carter -- super solid 2 way player who was tough to play against who would be 25-35-60 most years while being ~50% at the dot, but could also play wing.
 

Satanphonehome

Registered User
Jan 4, 2015
1,087
1,675
Buffalo gave up a good player to acquire Byram with the intention he would fill a hole as a top-4 D on a long-term basis.

It is highly unlikely they have decided that was a mistake after 30 games. Particularly, when he is playing 21 minutes a night, has a positive +/-, a positive Corsi and 8 points in 13 games, all of them at even strength (among the league’s top 10 for D).

It is possible that Byram has told the Sabres he has no interest in signing there long term and he is being shopped because of that.

It is more possible that Canuck fans have latched on to a BC boy on a team they think they can poach from because it’s a downtrodden franchise and the echo chamber has brought that to life.
 
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Satanphonehome

Registered User
Jan 4, 2015
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1,675
It’s also weird how tightly some people are clinging to the narrative that Byram is a poor fit on a roster with Dahlin and Power.

He’s spent most of the year beside one of those two and all 3 are plus players with positive Corsis, and in the top 30 of NHL defencemen scoring.

They are producing more than a lot of team’s second lines.

Buffalo’s problems early have been special teams and the total failure of its 2nd line, not its defence corps.
 

Djp

Registered User
Jul 28, 2012
24,646
6,017
Alexandria, VA
So Adams trades for Byram and not full year later Byram available? Mans not very good at GMing.


He wanted to move Mitts before the offseasonvsnd wanted a rodter player. The think was therr might have bern a western team interested but it fell throughout the draft.
Byram, Kulich, Helenius, 1st 2025 and 1st 2026 for Mackenzie Weeager
GTFOOH
What would Sabres fans say about a deal around Brock Nelson and Byram/Samuelson? Ik there’s a big age gap but a big reason the team isn’t working is because there’s no consistent veteran to give you 35 & 35 every year.
f*** no
Did I read that right?? Weegar is on an amazing contract.
It fine now bot thr last 3-4 yrs us a heavy anchor
Buffalo gave up a good player to acquire Byram with the intention he would fill a hole as a top-4 D on a long-term basis.

It is highly unlikely they have decided that was a mistake after 30 games. Particularly, when he is playing 21 minutes a night, has a positive +/-, a positive Corsi and 8 points in 13 games, all of them at even strength (among the league’s top 10 for D).

It is possible that Byram has told the Sabres he has no interest in signing there long term and he is being shopped because of that.

It is more possible that Canuck fans have latched on to a BC boy on a team they think they can poach from a downtrodden franchise and the echo chamber has brought that to life.
If he dorsnt want to sign long term, thsts fine. Buffalo still has 2full yrs after this one IIRC
 

TheBarnIsElectric

Registered User
Sponsor
Jun 15, 2010
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I could see the Sabres trading Byram, but it would have to be for a 2C or RD on a good contract and under 28. I doubt they are shopping him. He has been OK for the Sabres so far in a top 4 role, and has shown some signs of becoming an important piece for the future.

As much as I would love a big, physical shut down RD, I am not in the camp that thinks having 3 good LD who can move the puck and put up points is a bad thing. Especially when Dahlin is just as comfortable playing on the right.
 

tsujimoto74

Moderator
May 28, 2012
30,597
23,349
Buffalo gave up a good player to acquire Byram with the intention he would fill a hole as a top-4 D on a long-term basis.

It is highly unlikely they have decided that was a mistake after 30 games. Particularly, when he is playing 21 minutes a night, has a positive +/-, a positive Corsi and 8 points in 13 games, all of them at even strength (among the league’s top 10 for D).

It is possible that Byram has told the Sabres he has no interest in signing there long term and he is being shopped because of that.

It is more possible that Canuck fans have latched on to a BC boy on a team they think they can poach from because it’s a downtrodden franchise and the echo chamber has brought that to life.

I think this is the right take. We just traded Mittelstadt to get this guy. The only reason you’d turn around and immediately trade him again is if he were falling flat on his face/totally not fitting in with the team, which clearly isn’t the case. I don’t see any reason to think the Sabres are looking to move him right now.
 

dgibb10

Registered User
Feb 29, 2024
3,304
2,866
Not really - a top 5 pick top 4 D will
Bring back more value than an expiring rfa mitts count on it - see Larson for hall at the time

These D have super high value league wide
At this point Byram isn't really highly regarded anymore. He's sucked since the avs won the cup.

Good start to this year but if he wants a sizable contract I'd want nothing to do with him
 

Djp

Registered User
Jul 28, 2012
24,646
6,017
Alexandria, VA
Seems like they didn’t want to extend Mittelstadt so they just took best player available to flip later?
The issue was extending Mitts as a
A middle 6 center given the young players they had in their system and the bigger need to get D


In theory anyone is available but buffalo right now isnt doing as futures trade and isnt acquiring someone on the downside of their career.
 

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