Bowen Byram avoids arbitration and signs new deal in Buffalo late Monday night!

Earlier later week, the Buffalo Sabres elected for salary arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram. But late on Monday evening, the whole arbitration process was avoided, when the Sabres and Byram agreed to a contract extension. According to Elliotte Friedman, the deal is for two years, at a $6.25M AAV.

Moments later, the Sabres confirmed the signing:

The deal also walks Byram straight to unrestricted free agency in 2027-2028.

Byram, who was the Colorado Avalanche’s fourth-overall pick in 2019 and has posted 33 goals and 110 points from the blue line in a total of 246 career games. He was acquired by the Sabres back in March of 2024 in return for forward Casey Mittelstadt.

It’s been a busy emotional summer for Byram, who was at the center of many rumours of offer sheets earlier this month. Those followed the loud chatter on trade speculations that surrounded the blue liner, who some say has been unhappy in Buffalo. He was linked to different teams, most notably his hometown of Vancouver where the Canucks were heavily interested in acquiring Byram. After all, he played his minor hockey in Lethbridge, AB but Byram was a star with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

However on Monday evening, the Sabres made sure Byram was staying put…

For now.