The NHL free-agent market is beginning to slow down with many major players already signed, including Nikolaj Ehlers, who joined the Carolina Hurricanes. Among the remaining free agents, defenseman Bowen Byram stands out as a key figure surrounded by trade rumors, making the Bowen Byram NHL free agent trade a significant development to watch. The 24-year-old restricted free agent, currently with the Buffalo Sabres, is attracting strong interest due to his youth and position on the blue line.

According to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, the St. Louis Blues are aggressively pursuing Byram to bolster their defensive corps. With the Blues having recently parted ways with Nick Leddy, they have an opening in their top-six defensemen, creating a clear need for a player with Byram’s skill set. St. Louis has shown a pattern of strengthening this position through trades and acquisitions, exemplified by previous deals for Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, and Cam Fowler.

Byram’s move from Buffalo would offer the defenseman a fresh opportunity after being traded from Colorado to Buffalo two seasons ago in the Casey Mittelstadt deal. Adding Byram would provide the Blues with more reliable defensive pairings alongside established players such as Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler, Justin Faulk, Philip Broberg, and Ryan Suter.

Industry analysts predict the Blues will complete a trade for Byram and secure him with a new contract, marking a potentially significant shift in their defensive lineup for the upcoming NHL season.

Marco Rossi’s Contract Situation with the Minnesota Wild

On the restricted free-agent front, Minnesota Wild’s Marco Rossi is likely to stay with his current team despite ongoing salary cap pressures. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet highlighted recently that it is

way more likely he stays now

—Chris Johnston, Sportsnet Reporter, reflecting Minnesota’s intention to retain the promising forward. The Wild face a complicated salary cap scenario due to their need to re-sign star Kirill Kaprizov before next summer’s open market, limiting the financial flexibility available for Rossi’s new deal.

Luke Fox of Sportsnet suggested that Minnesota could offer Rossi a short-term contract similar to Cole Perfetti’s recent deal with the Winnipeg Jets, balancing cap space concerns and team needs.

The best route is likely a short-term, kick-the-issue-down-the-road solution. Think something along the lines of Cole Perfetti’s two-year, $6.5-million extension in Winnipeg.

—Luke Fox, Sportsnet Analyst

This approach would allow Rossi to remain with the Wild while giving both player and team time to negotiate longer-term options in the future. A two-year contract seems the most plausible outcome for Rossi’s restricted free agency.

Lukas Dostal Poised to Lead Anaheim Ducks’ Goalie Position

The Anaheim Ducks are preparing to name Lukas Dostal as their starting goaltender for the 2025-26 season and beyond. With John Gibson traded to the Detroit Red Wings, Dostal is the clear favorite to take the No. 1 role. General manager Pat Verbeek and Dostal’s agent have already begun discussions for a new contract that would keep the promising goaltender with the Ducks.

Dostal, who boasts a career save percentage just above .900 and has never fallen below .900 in any full season, is expected to outcompete veteran goalies Ville Husso and Petr Mrazek for the backup spot. With a roster featuring several young, talented players, Anaheim may rely on strong goaltending by Dostal to push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference starting in 2025-26.

Industry expectations are that Dostal will sign a new deal with the Ducks, reinforcing their plans to build a competitive team around their emerging netminder.

Remaining NHL Trade and Free Agent Considerations

While the premier names have mostly signed, several notable players remain available in the restricted and unrestricted free agent pool, signaling opportunities for teams to address key needs. St. Louis’s pursuit of Bowen Byram signals a proactive approach to enhancing their defensive depth, following a season where strategic trades helped improve their lineup.

The unfolding situations for Rossi and Dostal exemplify the ongoing balancing act between salary cap management and team priorities, as franchises aim to retain promising talent without compromising future flexibility. These developments will be key factors as the NHL offseason progresses toward roster finalizations ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The status of Bowen Byram is particularly significant given his youth and potential impact on the Blues’ defense, which makes tracking the Bowen Byram NHL free agent trade a priority for those following NHL roster moves this offseason.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. How many concussions has Bowen Byram had?

A. Every morning Bowen Byram wakes up without a headache feels like a blessing to him. He’s 22 and has experienced at least three concussions.

Q. How much does Bowen Byram make?

A. The 6-foot-1 defenseman, who shoots left, recently finished a two-year contract worth $7.7 million, with a yearly salary cap of $3.85 million. Picked fourth by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 draft, Byram has scored 33 goals and earned 110 points over 246 games while playing for both the Avalanche and Sabres.