This summer’s free agent market is sparse, particularly when it comes to the top four defensemen, prompting NHL teams to turn their attention back to trades to bolster their defensive depth. Bowen Byram remains a hot topic amid media speculation. Buffalo Sabres GM Kevin Adams informed reporters last week that they have matched offer sheets made by rival teams and will take the 24-year-old restricted free agent (RFA) to arbitration, meaning Byram cannot simply sign with another club.
The Sabres still have the option to trade Byram before the arbitration hearing. Some analysts believe Byram could be exchanged for top-six wingers. On Thursday, Jeremy Rutherford reported that a league source indicated the St. Louis Blues are aggressively pursuing Byram. Matthew Fairburn added that if Byram is placed on the trade block, the Sabres are hoping for a return that will immediately strengthen their roster.
Fairburn suggested such a trade might involve multiple players and could include assets acquired recently, like those from the Utah Mammoth in the JJ Peterka deal. The Sabres might also bundle Byram with draft picks or prospects to secure stronger players. Rutherford and Fairburn considered what the Blues might need to give up to acquire Byram, positing that a player like Faulk could fill Byram’s spot on the Sabres’ second defensive pair alongside Justin Fork.
Faulk, who is 33, has two years remaining on a contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and is on a non-trade list including 15 teams. If the Sabres are on this list, the Blues would have to find another trade partner to move Faulk. Both writers also thought the Sabres would want a promising young player, such as Jake Neighbours, involved in the deal.
Switching focus to the New York Rangers, Larry Brooks of the New York Post noted the absence of news on Artemi Panarin’s contract extension. The 33-year-old left-winger is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next July. Brooks believes the Rangers cannot afford to lose Panarin, who has been the NHL’s fourth-highest scorer since joining New York in 2019. Keeping him could also make the Blues an attractive destination for other free agents. Brooks predicts Panarin may agree to a four-year extension.
Panarin is eager to stay with the Rangers after this season, but with GM Chris Drury’s roster changes evaluated since December, much will hinge on the team’s performance. Another disappointing season could push Panarin to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for hockey fans as it highlights the offseason maneuvering that shapes team competitiveness. The outcome of Byram’s potential trade and Panarin’s contract decisions could significantly impact the balance of power in the NHL, influencing future team dynamics and fan excitement.
