The St. Louis Blues have reportedly gotten increasingly aggressive to acquire Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Bowen Byram, according to recent reports circulating in the hockey world. The 24-year-old, left-shot defenseman, who has played primarily on the right side over the past two seasons, represents a potential yet another dynamic defenseman for a Blues team looking to bolster its aging blue line and return to Stanley Cup contention.
The Blues have been “trying hard” to get Bowen Byram from Buffalo, according to a league source. There’s still a possibility that Byram gets an offer sheet. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) July 3, 2025
Byram, selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft, has established himself as a dynamic, two-way defenseman with high-end skating and puck-moving skills. Last season with Buffalo, he notched a career-high 38 points (7 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games, averaging 22:42 of ice time.
His playoff pedigree, including nine assists in 20 games during Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, makes him an enticing target for a St. Louis squad aiming to blend youth with competitiveness. At just 24, Byram is entering his prime, offering the Blues a long-term cornerstone on defense alongside Philip Broberg (24), and recently acquired Logan Mailloux (22).
The Blues’ interest in Byram comes as general manager Doug Armstrong seeks to address a critical need for a top-four defenseman. St. Louis struggled defensively last season, and Byram’s offensive flair and skating ability could complement their existing core. His experience playing on the right side, despite being a natural left-shot defender, adds versatility, potentially pairing well with a left-shot partner like Philip Broberg or Cam Fowler. This flexibility could create a dynamic top pairing, boosting the Blues’ transition game and power-play options.
"[Ivan] Provorov just got $8.5M, it'll be up there... I heard with [Bowen] Byram, they were thinking about doing a 1-year offer sheet."@FriedgeHNIC discusses Byram's market with @RealKyper & @jtbourne. #Sabrehood pic.twitter.com/R0gbbbO2Yu
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) July 1, 2025
However, acquiring Byram won’t come cheap. Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams is reportedly seeking immediate roster help rather than just draft picks or prospects, seeking to end their 14-year playoff drought. The Blues could construct a package around players like Justin Faulk or Matthew Kessel, along with draft capital, to meet Buffalo’s demands but it could remain a tall-task for the Blues who likely do not wish to move on from many other main roster players that could entice the Sabres to move on from Byram.
St. Louis’s recent cap-clearing moves, such as waiving Nick Leddy’s $4 million contract, provide some flexibility to absorb Byram’s expected salary increase from his previous $3.85 million cap hit. Estimates suggest his next deal could range starting at around $8.5 million annually, a significant investment for a team currently with $625k in cap space before Torey Krug’s LTIR $6.5m cap relief. Creative cap management or additional trades will be necessary to make the deal work.
An offer sheet, rumored as a possibility, could remove St. Louis from the running.
Despite these challenges, Byram’s youth, skill, and playoff experience make him a tantalizing target. With competition from teams like the San Jose Sharks, the Blues must act decisively. If Armstrong can secure Byram without sacrificing key long-term pieces, this move could give St. Louis one of the best blue lines for years to come.