The Detroit Red Wings are in tough in the Eastern Conference. While the Florida Panthers continue to win Stanley Cups, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are improving their rosters.
Heavy.com has proposed a new trade that will help the Red Wings fortify their blueline. This trade pitch sees them acquire the services of Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres.
Red Wings Acquire:
- Bowen Byram
Sabres Acquire:
- Jonatan Berggren
- Andrew Copp
- 2nd-round pick in 2026
In this proposal, the Red Wings acquire a top-pairing defender. The 6-foot-1, 203 lbs left-handed defenseman was originally drafted fourth overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche. The 24-year-old blueliner recorded 38 points in 82 games last year.
The Sabres acquire Andrew Copp, a versatile forward who can play center and the wing. The 31-year-old, 6-foot-1, 203 lbs forward was drafted 104th overall in 2013 by the Winnipeg Jets. An injury limited Copp to 56 games in 2024-25. He collected 23 points while playing 14:42 a night.
With Jonatan Berggren, the Sabres get a young forward who is eager to prove himself. The 25-year-old winger is fresh off a one-year contract extension. The 5-foot-11 forward was drafted 33rd overall by the Red Wings in 2018.
This proposal gives the Red Wings the upgrade they desire on their blueline. It also gives the Sabres a top-six forward and a young prospect with the potential to contribute in the top nine.
Bowen Byram Gives the Red Wings the Upgrade They Seek
Steve Yzerman is taking a different approach to this offseason compared to one year ago.
“You try to force it or chase it, there’s too many years, too many dollars or you give up too much in a trade,” Yzerman spoke of his experience in free agency one year ago. “Just wait for the right player, the right opportunity, whether it is in a trade or in free agency, to add to our lineup and use our assets wisely if we can.”
The right opportunity for the Red Wings comes in the form of a defender who can shore up the blueline.
“What we could use right now is a defenseman, a top-four, and preferably a right shot,” Yzerman revealed to reporters after the opening of free agency. “But it doesn’t have to be a right shot because we can move these guys around a little bit, but that would be our biggest potential need.”
Sabres Still Open to Trading Byram
David Pagnotta reports that despite signing a two-year $6.25-million extension, Byram is still a prime trade candidate.
“Even with a new 2-year contract under his belt, Bowen Byram remains a prime candidate for the Sabres to move at some point this off-season,” Pagnotta wrote. “It’s unclear what they are looking for, at this stage, but Buffalo’s desire is to add a top-six forward.”
What Byram Brings to the Red Wings
Byram is a left-handed defender who is comfortable playing the right side. The 24-year-old averaged over 22 minutes a game in 2024-25. Over 900 of those minutes were spent with either Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power, notable left-handed defenders.
The addition of Byram would give the Red Wings the ability to offer up one of their other defenders in a trade.
The easy move is for Byram to play alongside their ace, Moritz Seider. However, because of his utility, he could play with Ben Chiarot or Simon Edvinsson, too.
The Red Wings currently have $12,086,628 in salary cap space.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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