According to The Fourth Period, San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier is trying to add an “impact defenseman” via trade.
Dave Pagnotta recently published a story stating the Sharks are among the many teams interested in acquiring RFA d-man Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres.
“The Sharks have also expressed interest in Byram, a restricted free agent, and join a long list of clubs vying to acquire him,” Pagnotta wrote. “Including the Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues, among others, with the Blues considered the most aggressive in their pursuit.”
Sabres’ GM Kevyn Adams has said he intends to match any offer sheet contract that Byram might sign. However, it seems that Byram is looking for a change of scenery.
Byram scored 38 points (seven goals, 31 assists) in 82 games. He finished a career-high plus-11 and averaged 22:42 minutes a night. His analytics leave a lot to be desired, but they might not tell the whole story.
Looking deeper into the numbers, Byram is one of the NHL’s best puck-moving defensemen. The San Jose Sharks are looking for that exact type of player.
“Byram is believed to be looking for a long-term deal worth at least $9 million per season,” Pagnotta says.
In 246 regular-season games, the 24-year-old has 110 points (33 goals, 77 assists). He won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
If the Sharks are serious about adding Byram, they need to free up space on their blue line. After the additions of Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, and John Klingberg, all of a sudden, there might not even be a place for a player like Byram. Top Sharks defense prospect Sam Dickinson is hoping to make the team out of training camp, too.
After the upcoming 2025-26 season, the Sharks have one defenseman signed for the 2026-27 season: Dmitry Orlov.
They have the assets to trade for Byram. One possibility could be Mario Ferraro. Ferraro is an NHL-calibre d-man that the Sabres would be in the market for. It would cost more than that, but it could be a start.
The Blues are reportedly the most aggressive team in the pursuit of Byram.
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