Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams sent a clear message to other NHL executives on Wednesday regarding defenseman Bowen Byram.
Speaking to Buffalo reporters, as shared by Matthew Bove of WKBW, Adams declared the team`s firm intention to match any offer sheet submitted for the restricted free agent.
The young blueliner has been a frequent subject of trade speculation throughout the current off-season.
When directly asked about the possibility of matching an offer sheet, Adams responded definitively, “Absolutely.”
He elaborated, explaining that the team`s strategic moves and careful salary cap positioning have been planned with this scenario in mind. Adams highlighted the risk of leaving insufficient cap space based on simple projections, which could leave an organization vulnerable to an aggressive offer sheet.
“So the moves we`ve made and decisions we`ve made for weeks now leading up to this point is with that in mind,” Adams reiterated. “We`ll be matching and have the opportunity to have a player under contract we think helps us win.”
Despite this commitment to matching, Adams also clarified that he remains open to listening to potential trade offers for Byram.
“I`ve maintained the same position that if there`s a deal out there that makes sense for us that we think is going to improve our roster, we`re open to it,” he stated. “If there`s not, we`re not in a situation where we`re looking to move him out or looking to move him out for futures and stuff like that. For me, we want to help our team win hockey games and he does that.”
This follows the Sabres` recent transaction involving restricted free agent forward JJ Peterka, who was traded to the Utah Mammoth last month before signing a five-year contract with his new club.
The Sabres are aiming to break the NHL`s longest active postseason drought, having missed the playoffs for the past 14 consecutive years.
Byram, 24 years old, recorded seven goals and 31 assists for a total of 38 points over 82 games during the previous season.
Buffalo acquired Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in March 2024 in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt.
Tristan Blackwood