NHL rumors: Blackhawks linked to Sabres’ Bowen Byram amid trade chatter

The Chicago Blackhawks currently have just five healthy defensemen under contract for 2026-27, and one intriguing trade target has reportedly emerged to potentially add to the blue line in the Windy City.

The Hawks have interest in acquiring Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram as they look to accelerate their rebuild heading into the 2026-27 season, The Athletic’s Scott Powers reported on Friday.

“The Buffalo Sabres’ Bowen Byram fits what they’re looking for,” Powers wrote. “He’s a relatively young, left-handed defenseman who could fit in with what the Blackhawks are building.”

Byram would certainly check a number of boxes for Chicago.

The 25-year-old is already an established NHL defenseman while still fitting Chicago’s long-term timeline. He carries a $6.25 million cap hit and has one year remaining on his current contract, meaning any acquiring team would likely want some confidence that an extension could eventually be reached.

“It obviously depends on what the Sabres want for him and whether he’s open to signing beyond next season, which is the final year of his deal,” Powers noted.

The bigger obstacle could be the trade package required to pry Byram out of Buffalo. Chicago possesses plenty of draft capital, but the Sabres may be looking for NHL-ready talent rather than future assets.

Powers consulted fellow Athletic reporter Matt Fairburn, who covers the Sabres, about what Buffalo could be seeking in a potential deal.

“I could see them using him as a way to get a forward to replace (Alex) Tuch,” Fairburn said. “I doubt they would be looking for futures, but if that’s the best package they may just take assets and try to flip those for something else.”

That could complicate matters for the Blackhawks, who may be reluctant to part with young roster players as they continue building around their next competitive core led by superstar forward Connor Bedard.

Still, Powers made it clear that Byram is a player Chicago admires.

“Time will tell, but Byram is definitely a name to watch,” he wrote. “The Blackhawks like him as a player.”

The Blackhawks already boast one of the NHL’s youngest blue lines, with no defenseman on the roster older than 25. If Buffalo ultimately makes Byram available, he could be an ideal addition as Chicago looks to take another step forward and end its lengthy playoff drought.

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