Following a 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance, the Buffalo Sabres face the necessity of making significant changes this offseason. One transformative possibility might include the defenseman Bowen Byram, who is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. With Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power already taking focal points on the blue line, Byram could serve as a valuable trade asset as the Sabres look to address other weaknesses within their roster.

Byram, selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft, has yet to fully realize the star potential anticipated upon his arrival in the league. However, when healthy, he has exhibited considerable skill, demonstrating his capabilities as an offensive-minded defenseman. Over the course of the past season, Byram played in all 82 games, registering seven goals and 31 assists for a total of 38 points. His name has surfaced in trade discussions prior to the 2024-25 trade deadline, and it is once again garnering attention as the offseason approaches. In light of this, there are six teams that may exhibit interest in acquiring Byram or may represent feasible landing spots for the young defenseman.

The New York Rangers have spent much of the 2024-25 season attempting to reshape their defensive core, but their performance has not yet achieved the desired result. Their need for improved puck movement and offensive generation from the blue line is evident, suggesting Byram could be the type of player required to enhance their defensive group. Despite having five defensemen already under contract and additional restricted free agents K'Andre Miller and Zac Jones, the Rangers might still pursue Byram as a means of effecting a meaningful change amidst persistent issues in their defensive zone play.

In contrast, the Los Angeles Kings, while being one of the league’s top defensive teams, experienced another first-round exit in the playoffs at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. Although they are not in dire need of defensive assistance, adding a player like Byram could be beneficial as they work towards creating a more competitive team. With veteran defenseman Drew Doughty under contract for only two more seasons, Byram, who still has the potential to develop into a top-pairing defenseman, could serve as a vital asset for the Kings’ long-term defensive strategy.

In Detroit, general manager Steve Yzerman is under increasing pressure to address the team's longstanding defensive issues. While the Red Wings boast talented young defensemen in Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, more structural support on the blue line is necessary for the team to progress. Byram could solve immediate and long-term needs for the Red Wings, especially as they aim to regain playoff contention after ranking poorly in 5-on-5 goals scored percentage and expected goals share this past season.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild progress is stalling, as evidenced by a disappointing 2024-25 season that saw them win fewer games than in the tanking season prior to drafting Connor Bedard. While they possess young prospects, including Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov, the Blackhawks would benefit from integrating an established player like Byram who can contribute right away, helping to accelerate the development of their young core.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are poised to be aggressive in the offseason, making Byram an excellent trade candidate. With a pressing need to bolster their defense and a considerable amount of salary cap space at their disposal, the Blue Jackets could leverage their resources, including two available first-round draft picks, to effectively address their defensive deficiencies while positioning themselves as a contender for a playoff spot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are also navigating a transitional phase as they embark on a rebuild, although the depth and timeline of this process remains uncertain. General manager Kyle Dubas continues to express a desire for the team to remain competitive while Sidney Crosby is still in the lineup. The Penguins need to upgrade their defense, particularly with Kris Letang's performance declining and Erik Karlsson likely on the trade block. Byram could fill that gap as a puck-moving defenseman, allowing the team to maintain offensive momentum from the blue line, especially with an abundance of draft picks available for trade consideration.