Hockey fans have been waiting for some action on the trade market all summer long, but unfortunately, they’ve been let down time and time again.
Many high-profile players have come up in rumors and speculation, though for the most part, that’s as far as anything has gotten.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram was one of them, listed atop trade boards for months now, yet nothing has changed. Despite that, many around the league still believe that Byram could soon be on the move, and one analyst is proposing a deal that would send him to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Caleb Kerney of Heavy Sports has recently pitched a trade shipping Byram to Toronto in exchange for a package that includes Brandon Carlo, Nick Robertson, and Calle Jarnkrok.
Maple Leafs receive: Bowen Byram
Sabres receive: Brandon Carlo, Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok
“This proposal would be a massive deal for both clubs. Byram is the young, puck-moving defender that the team desires. Brandon Carlo immediately fills in on the Buffalo Sabres’ top pairing with Rasmus Dahlin. The Sabres also receive two forwards who can play in their middle-six,” Kerney said.
“NHL analyst and insider James Mirtle reports that the Maple Leafs want to give their defense group a boost by adding more skill… NHL insider David Pagnotta believes that Byram might still get traded, despite signing a new contract earlier in the summer,” Kerney added.
The 24-year-old Byram just signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Sabres, though his future in Buffalo remains uncertain.
Byram is the type of defenseman Toronto needs
Whether or not the Buffalo Sabres would be interested in Kerney’s proposed trade offer from the Maple Leafs is unknown, but it’s clear that an offensive, puck-moving defenseman like Bowen Byram is what Toronto is seeking.
The Maple Leafs lack offense from the back end, and you could argue that Byram would immediately become their most dynamic threat on defense.
Earlier this week, they were also linked to Mikhail Sergachev by writer Howard Berger, so general manager Brad Treliving is making an effort to shake up his blue line, and you can understand why.
Nothing appears imminent, though it’s a situation to keep an eye on as we approach training camps and the start of the 2025-26 season.
