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FILE – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) controls the puck against Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, April 23, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo\/Charles Krupa, File)<\/p>\n
CHICAGO \u2014 Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram has agreed to a $75 million, six-year contract extension with his new team.<\/p>\n
The deal was announced Wednesday, the first day that Byram was eligible to sign an extension. It runs through the 2032-33 season and would make him the NHL\u2019s highest paid defenseman with an average annual salary of $12.5 million \u2014 surpassing Pittsburgh\u2019s Erik Karlsson ($11.5 million).<\/p>\n
The deal was announced Wednesday, the first day that Byram was eligible to sign an extension. It runs through the 2032-33 season.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old Byram was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on June 23. The Blackhawks sent the No. 4 and No. 45 selections in the NHL draft and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Sabres for Byram and forward Jordan Greenway.<\/p>\n
It has been a very busy summer for Byram, who got married last weekend in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.<\/p>\n
The Blackhawks are counting on Byram to take over as their No. 1 defenseman \u2014 and they paid him accordingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe traits that Bo possesses are, in our opinion, elite ones,\u201d Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson told reporters at the team\u2019s practice facility. \u201cThey\u2019re ones that are in high, high demand around the league, and they are ones that we believe, when put in the position that we\u2019re going to put him in this year, demand a significant reward in compensation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s something we believe he\u2019s going to step into, he\u2019s going to own it, he\u2019s going to prove it and be worth the investment we\u2019re placing in him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Byram, who has never been the top defenseman on his NHL team, thinks he is ready for the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve showed a lot of faith in me, and they\u2019ve given up a lot and committed to me in many, many ways,\u201d Byram said. \u201cNow the ball\u2019s in my court to perform, so I\u2019m excited for that opportunity. I\u2019m excited for that challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blackhawks also agreed to contracts with forward Cole Smith and defenseman Ian Cole on the first day of NHL free agency. Smith agreed to a $9 million, three-year deal, and Cole got a $4 million, one-year contract.<\/p>\n
Byram\u2019s father, Shawn, played for Chicago on Nov. 3, 1991, in the last of his five NHL games. The Blackhawks had a chance to take Bowen Byram in the 2019 draft, but they opted for Kirby Dach at No. 3, and Byram went to Colorado at No. 4.<\/p>\n
Byram had 23 goals and 40 assists in 146 games over three-plus seasons with Colorado before he was traded to Buffalo in March 2024 for Casey Mittelstadt. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n
Byram had 11 goals and a career-high 42 points last season. He was part of a strong group of defensemen who helped the Sabres to the Atlantic Division title and the franchise\u2019s first playoff appearance since the 2010-11 season.<\/p>\n
Smith, 30, had eight goals and four assists in 63 games for Nashville and Vegas last season. He was traded from the Predators to the Golden Knights in March.<\/p>\n
Cole had three goals and 20 assists in 82 games for Utah last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Ian Cole\u2019s case, provides some really veteran presence and a steadying influence on our young (defensemen),\u201d Davidson said. \u201cAnd then Cole Smith provides a great deal of physicality, some size, some speed, and both play special teams on the penalty kill.\u201d<\/p>\n
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