Overview
- The trade, confirmed June 24, sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a second-round pick around No. 45, and defenseman Louis Crevier.
- Byram is 25 and enters the final year of a two-year, $12.5 million contract with a $6.25 million cap hit and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2026-27 season, so Chicago will need to negotiate an extension or risk losing him.
- Buffalo framed the deal as asset management by converting an expiring, valuable player into top draft capital and some cap relief, giving the Sabres both the No. 4 and No. 20 picks in this draft cycle.
- On the ice, Byram comes off a career offensive season with 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points in 82 games plus seven playoff points, and Chicago plans to give him heavy minutes as a top-pairing, puck-moving defenseman.
- The transaction reshuffles both teams’ short-term plans: Chicago sacrifices a high draft slot to try to compete sooner, while Buffalo gains draft flexibility and depth on the blue line but still faces uncertainty in talks with pending UFA Alex Tuch.