Bowen Byram: Staying with Buffalo Bills – Potential Upside
Bowen Byram Embraces Expanded Role with Sabres,Dismisses Trade Speculation
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Buffalo,NY – Defenseman Bowen Byram has officially inked a two-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres,worth $6.25 million annually, putting an end to months of trade speculation and discussions about a potential departure. The deal, reached ahead of arbitration, signals a commitment from both sides, with byram expressing his satisfaction with the decision and the opportunities it presents.
Byram Finds Value in Buffalo’s vision
Speaking with NHL.com’s Justin Alpert,Byram revealed that re-signing with the Sabres was a logical choice for several compelling reasons,chief among them the chance to further develop his game and assume a more significant role within the team.
“Personally, I’ve been pretty happy with my time in Buffalo,” Byram stated. “I think I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve got an possibility to play a bigger role and play more minutes, whether it’s the offensive side, power play, penalty kill.So, I’m happy with that.”
This sentiment is backed by his performance last season, where Byram averaged a career-high 22:42 of ice time. Much of this increased responsibility came while playing alongside fellow all-star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. The fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft also enjoyed his most statistically productive season, notching 38 points. Perhaps most impressively, the defenseman, who has battled injuries in the past, managed to play in all 82 games. At just 24 years old, Byram is poised for continued growth and growth.
Learning from the Best: The Dahlin effect
Byram highlighted the invaluable experience of playing alongside Dahlin, describing it as a significant boost to his own development, particularly on the defensive end. He lauded Dahlin as “one of the best defensemen in the world.”
“When I’m playing with him, I just try to take care of the defensive side of the puck, make sure that I’m hanging back and giving him the freedom to get up ice and join the play and do his thing,” byram explained.
Mirroring Past Successes
The impact of the Byram-Dahlin pairing is evident in their statistics. They tied for the league lead in five-on-five goal differential with a +20 mark, a feat that matches the performance of what many consider the NHL’s premier defensive duo: Colorado’s Cale Makar and Devon Toews, former teammates of Byram.Byram acknowledged that Dahlin often fills the “Makar” role in their partnership, but he believes his own game can emulate the contributions of Toews.
“Looking back now, I think I got to learn a lot from just watching those two,” Byram reflected. “You have a guy like Cale makar, very similar to Rasmus, and I hope to try to be a player of Toews’ caliber. Whether it’s now or down the road, that’s what I look to continue to build towards.”
Byram’s commitment to the Sabres and his clear vision for his role within the team suggest an exciting future for both the player and the franchise.