Major Development: Hockey reporter states the New York Rangers are interested in prominent defensema
PUBLICATION
Ryan Hall
May 23, 2025Â Â (10:30)
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers hockey reporter Jim Cerny reports that the New York Rangers should investigate prominent defenseman Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres as the organization investigates his value.
This news was revealed on the 32 thoughts podcast and according to Elliotte Friedman the Sabres may be entertaining the trade of this young defenseman.
Rangers in need of defense upgrade this summer
«There is no doubt [Byram’s] name is out there, and there’s just been an agent change. So, that always leads to conversation about what does this mean? There is no doubt his name is out there. There’s no doubt they’re gauging market value on him, and we will see where this takes us,» Friedman explained Wednesday. «But there is definitely noise around the Byram name and the Buffalo Sabres.» – Elliotte Freidman
The main reason why the Sabres would be entertaining an offer is that the team currently has three young NHL defensemen who hold a value of $23.6 million through the year 2030 and may look to improve its offence through trade.
Byram currently holds a salary cap hit of $3.85 million per season but is a pending restricted free agent who holds arbitration rights.
It’s likely the Sabres will be unable to afford all four defensemen which would give general manager Chris Drury an opportunity to give his team a much-needed upgrade on his blue line.
Byram logged the second most TOI for the Sabres this season, 22:42 playing all 82 games. Only Dahlin, the Sabres captain, averaged more (24:14 TOI). Byram’s career-high 38 points were third among Sabres defensemen behind Dahlin (68) and Power (40); and his 35 even-strength points were sixth most among all Sabres skaters. – Jim Cerny
Byram would help Rangers today and the future
Friedman explained that Byram may be looking for a larger role in his career and an opportunity to become part of the top four defensemen on a winning team after leaving the Colorado Avalanche through trade.
«I think he would like a bigger role, and it’s tough in Buffalo with who’s ahead of him and who’s around him. I think that absolutely is part of the decision-making process,» Friedman said. – Elliotte Friedman
It’s safe to say to add a quality defenseman like Byram to the Rangers organization would help the team immensely as they continue to stockpile young players and have other players from the Hartford Wolf pack ready to help change the team’s style.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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Major Development: Hockey reporter states the New York Rangers are interested in prominent defenseman
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