The Buffalo Sabres are committed to matching any Bowen Byram offer sheet to keep the defenseman on their roster, general manager Kevyn Adams confirmed on Wednesday. Byram, 24, is a restricted free agent, and while the Sabres value his contributions, they remain open to considering trade proposals that would immediately improve the team.

Sabres’ stance on Bowen Byram’s future

Adams emphasized that the Sabres have no intention of losing Byram through an offer sheet from another team, despite the draft pick compensation the club would receive. Instead, he expressed confidence in Byram’s ability to help the Sabres succeed.

“We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player who can help our team win,”

Adams said.

However, Adams also noted that the team remains receptive to mutually beneficial trades.

“But … if there is a deal out there that makes sense for us, that is going to improve our roster, we’re open to it. But we’re not in a situation where we’re looking to move him out or move him for futures,”

he added, indicating the team’s flexibility while prioritizing immediate roster enhancements.

Financial planning for potential offer sheet challenges

The Sabres have taken a strategic approach to their salary cap situation, ensuring they can meet any offer sheet to Byram. Adams explained the importance of their recent roster moves in this context:

“That’s why the moves we’ve made and the position that we’ve put ourselves in from a cap perspective have been strategic.”

He further elaborated,

“If you leave just enough room in your cap where you maybe see a projection on a one-year deal and then someone comes over the top, you’re potentially putting your organization in a really tough spot.”

Adams reinforced the team’s confidence in being able to secure Byram, stating,

“The moves we’ve made and decisions we’ve made for weeks now are with that in mind. We’ll be matching and have the opportunity to have a player under contract who we think helps our team win.”

Bowen Byram’s performance and trade history

Bowen Byram joined the Sabres at the 2024 NHL trade deadline in a transaction with the Colorado Avalanche, who originally selected him as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. During the 2024-25 season, Byram appeared in all 82 games, achieving a career-high 38 points, including seven goals and 31 assists.

Across 246 NHL games played with both Colorado and Buffalo, Byram has accumulated 110 points, comprising 33 goals and 77 assists, along with notable defensive contributions such as 313 blocks and 337 hits. These statistics underline his value on both ends of the ice and his potential to be an asset as the Sabres look ahead.

Implications for Sabres’ roster and next steps

Kevyn Adams’ assurance that Buffalo will match any Bowen Byram offer sheet signals the team’s strong interest in maintaining a core group with championship potential. At the same time, his openness to trades that immediately strengthen the roster suggests the Sabres are actively exploring ways to balance long-term asset retention with short-term competitiveness.

The strategic salary cap management and careful roster moves indicate the organization is preparing for a busy offseason, focusing on maximizing Byram’s impact while remaining flexible. As restricted free agency progresses, the Sabres’ decisions regarding Byram will likely influence their trajectory in the upcoming NHL seasons.