The St. Louis Blues and Bowen Byram keep coming up in conversations. This time around, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic confirmed that there’s still a link between the two parties. “The team’s trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres regarding Bowen Byram cooled before he re-signed, but all it takes is a phone call.”
While this quote may seem like mere speculation, it’s important to note the relationship between the Blues and the Sabres. One of the biggest trades in the history of both franchises happened seven years ago when the Blues acquired former Ryan O’Reilly. The Sabres, in return, obtained Tage Thompson, Vladimir Sobotka, Patrik Berglund and two draft picks that became Ryan Johnson and Colin Miller.
The Blues, above all else, aren’t the type to sit idly by, either. Last season, they weaponized their salary cap space to acquire defenseman Phillip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers with offer sheets. If general manager Doug Armstrong sees an opportunity, he’ll take it.
To further add onto this, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams isn’t opposed to a trade. “We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player who can help our team win,” Adams said. “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. If there’s not, we’re not in a situation where we’re looking to move him out or move him for futures.”
Byram Negotiations Dragged on for Sabres
To say the negotiations didn’t go as planned for the Sabres is an understatement. After a very public disagreement, it seemed almost inevitable that Byram would move on. The Blues, at the time, were one of several teams linked to Byram. Last month, Byram signed a two-year extension with the Sabres, stifling trade rumors.
Yet, despite this, Byram’s name keeps popping up in trade rumors.
The Sabres, more than any other team in the NHL, need to shake things up. It’s been 14 years since the Sabres made the playoffs. The Blues, on the other hand, are missing a few key pieces in order to contend. While Byram did secure a two-year extension with the Sabres, the short term of the contract suggests that Byram wants to hit free agency as quickly as possible.
Blues Forward Still in Rumors
Rutherford shared another interesting tidbit regarding one of the top forwards on the Blues. “Clubs still like Kyrou,” he remarked. Rumors heated up around the spring linking the Montreal Canadiens to Kyrou. Talks cooled once the Blues traded Zac Bolduc to Montreal, acquiring Logan Mailloux in return.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli joined the “Kevin Karius Show” last month to talk Kyrou, mentioning that the club was “very motivated to move that contract”. Kyrou, who scored 36 goals and 34 assists for 70 points last season, was second in team scoring for the Blues. His contract, which runs through 2030-31, lands at $8.125M per season.
Should the Blues decide to move on from Kyrou, it seems likely they’d ask for NHL-ready players in return. Perhaps there’s a future where Kyrou and Byram can find new homes with the Sabres and Blues, respectively.
All it takes, per Rutherford, is a phone call.
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