The NHL UFA marketplace never revealed itself to the Detroit Red Wings and other would-be bidders because potential free agents re-signed with their teams or had a limited number of teams they were willing to consider.

Will the NHL trade market follow a similar pattern?

Buffalo defenseman Bo Byram, mentioned prominently in trade rumors, re-signed Monday with the Sabres. He signed a six-year-deal worth an average of $6.25 million per season.

Byram would have been a good fit for the Red Wings. He could have been a good partner for Moritz Seider, although the Red Wings didn’t have, or wouldn’t give up, what the Sabres wanted in a trade. They were looking for a proven young player for their lineup.

Bo Byram and the Buffalo Sabres have avoided arbitration. Byram gets a 2yr deal, so AAV is higher than our 1yr projection. These are his final RFA years, meaning this will walk him right to UFA. #NHL #Sabrehood @MaxTermPod @CapWages pic.twitter.com/wa4u6uHytq

— AFP Analytics (@AFPAnalytics) July 15, 2025

This contract will take Byram to his UFA status.

There are other names — Jason Robertson, Dougie Hamilton. Marco Rossi, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson among them — mentioned in NHL trade rumors. Will those trades really happen?

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Filip Zadina isn’t coming back to the the NHL any time soon. He signed an extension with his Swiss team.

Axel Sandin Pellikka probably needs more time in the AHL before he’s ready for the NHL.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Nate Danielson. Amadeus Lombardi who gets the last forward spot enext fall.

Red Wings Extra

Former Detroit player Paul Coffey is out as an assistant coach in Edmonton. But he is returning to his advisory role with the Oilers’ ownership and hockey operations.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Andrew Fantucchio explores the question of which young Bruins will play for the team in October. Boston Bruins.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins are going to open their 2025-26 NHL season on ESPN with a game against the New York Rangers and their new coach Mike Sullivan. Now that should be fun. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: Jack Thompson re-signed with the Sharks, but how long will he really stay with the team? San Jose Sharks.Â