Following a 14th consecutive season without playoff appearances, the Buffalo Sabres face the necessity for substantial changes during the offseason. One such potential alteration could involve defenseman Bowen Byram, who is a restricted free agent this summer. With Byram occupying a position where the Sabres already feature several prominent young players—including Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power—he may serve as a valuable trade piece as the organization seeks to address other areas of need throughout the roster.

Although Byram has not yet reached the star potential anticipated when the Colorado Avalanche selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, he has exhibited tantalizing glimpses of that talent when fully healthy. Over the past season, he played in all 82 games, contributing seven goals and 31 assists for a total of 38 points. Trade speculation surrounding his name resurfaced ahead of the 2024-25 season's deadline, and it continues as the offseason approaches. With this context, several teams appear poised to express interest in acquiring Byram.

The New York Rangers have been actively working to reshape their defensive core throughout the 2024-25 season, yet still face significant challenges in generating offense and improving puck movement. Byram might be the type of player needed to enhance their defensive unit, bringing both mobility and youth while suggesting untapped potential. However, the Rangers currently have five defensemen under contract for the upcoming season and must also consider two additional restricted free agents, K'Andre Miller and Zac Jones, meaning roster flexibility is limited. Nevertheless, the Rangers may still seek to make adjustments as the franchise strives to return as a Stanley Cup contender.

Conversely, the Los Angeles Kings, while not in immediate need of defensive reinforcements given their status as one of the league's best defensive teams, are still in pursuit of deep playoff success after suffering a fourth consecutive first-round exit to the Edmonton Oilers. Although the Kings possess a strong blend of veteran and young talent on their blue line, they must remain open to opportunities to acquire impactful players. With veteran Drew Doughty under contract for only two more seasons, adding a young, promising defenseman like Byram could position the Kings for a seamless transition and ultimately fill the potential gap left by Doughty's eventual departure.

In Detroit, general manager Steve Yzerman faces mounting pressure as significant deficiencies within the Red Wings persist year after year. The team's defensive struggles and lack of efficiency in 5-on-5 play have hindered progress, despite the presence of talented young defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. To adequately bolster the blue line, an addition like Byram could serve as both an immediate upgrade and a long-term asset, allowing him to grow alongside the team's emerging core. With the Red Wings ranking low in crucial offensive metrics, Byram's acquisition could address vital shortcomings, although questions remain regarding the feasibility of striking a deal with a division rival.

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently navigating a challenging rebuilding phase following a lackluster 2024-25 season that resulted in fewer wins during Connor Bedard's second year than during their previous tanking efforts. Although the organization has amassed a group of promising prospects—including Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov—relying solely on young talent without veteran presence will not yield immediate improvement. Byram, despite not consistently reaching pre-draft expectations, remains a competent NHL defenseman; acquiring him could provide the Blackhawks much-needed stability as they strive to develop and compete.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have positioned themselves as a team likely to be aggressive during the offseason, and Byram could prove an ideal target. With the need to bolster their defensive corps potentially heightened by the anticipated departure of veteran Ivan Provorov in free agency, and possessing ample salary cap space along with a deep pool of trade assets, they appear primed for a bold move. Having narrowly missed the postseason recently, the Blue Jackets are in need of impactful players like Byram to strengthen their roster as they endeavor for playoff contention.

Lastly, the Pittsburgh Penguins are entering an uncertain rebuilding phase, with general manager Kyle Dubas seeking to quickly return the team to playoff contention while Sidney Crosby remains active. Crosby is under contract for two more years, yet the extent of the Penguins' rebuilding process remains to be clarified. If the team chooses a balanced approach to rebuilding, they could pursue a player like Byram to solidify their defensive lineup. With notable needs for improvement following struggles with Kris Letang's performance and the potential trade of Erik Karlsson, a younger puck-moving defenseman has become a priority.

Amidst a complex offseason landscape, Bowen Byram's future with the Buffalo Sabres is likely to generate significant attention as various franchises evaluate their own needs and strategies.