The Chicago Blackhawks swung a trade for Bowen Byram in the offseason. The trade and his subsequent contract were quite controversial due to the cost paid. However, Byram's first impression on Chicago fans is certainly a positive one.
The Blackhawks defenseman scored a hat trick in Chicago's preseason win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday. He capped off this performance in style. His third goal of the night was an overtime game-winning goal.
Byram was the team's premier offseason pickup over the summer. He brings playoff experience from his time with the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres. He has shown the ability to play on the top pairing. And he has a Stanley Cup to his name, winning it in 2022 with the Avalanche.
He joins a Blackhawks team that has not had that sort of success in recent years. Chicago is one of the most storied franchises in NHL history. But they have been embroiled in a lengthy rebuild.
The Blackhawks have not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2020 COVID playoffs. Before that, their last playoff run came in 2017. They lost in the first round that season.
Byram is expected to make this team much more competitive. The Blackhawks traded the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft as part of the package to acquire him. They signed him to a contract that will pay him more than $12 million per season.
The Blackhawks have shown a ton of faith in their star defenseman. Of course, this is preseason, so the performance doesn't truly count. But if Byram can take this into the regular season, he will be a force in 2026-27.