New Twist Reveals Penguins May Have a Chance at Trading for Bowen Byram

The Buffalo Sabres beat out arbitration and re-signed restricted free agent Bowen Byram to a two-year, $6.25 million cap contract, seemingly ending months of speculation over his future with the club.

The 24-year-old defenseman built on a career-high season in scoring and health, collecting 38 points and playing in all 82 games. He also averaged a career-best 22:42 of ice time, often paired with Rasmus Dahlin on Buffalo's power play.

Bowen Byram, taken fourth overall in 2019, was one of the league's top five-on-five pairings last year alongside Rasmus Dahlin.

They had a combined plus-20 goal margin, which is tied for the NHL best with Colorado's Cale Makar and Devon Toews, both former Byram teammates. Today, with health being equal, Byram can mature into an elite-pairing two-way defenseman.

But for all of the new deal, his long-term situation in Buffalo is far from certain. According to 'The Fourth Period', Byram remains a leading trade candidate this offseason, with the Sabres weighing deals to retool their blue line and depth chart.

He's a premium price, and contenders seeking a young top-four defenseman may tender offers.

One of those teams could be the Pittsburgh Penguins. With questions about their defence corps and a desire to get younger, Byram would be an ideal fit for their rebuilding efforts.

If Buffalo does pursue a trade, the Penguins could now genuinely have a legitimate shot at acquiring a player who possesses great promise and recent proof of health.