The New York Rangers traded away K’Andre Miller and could look to add another offensive defenseman to replace him.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that would see the Rangers acquire Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres in an intriguing move.
Rangers acquire:
Sabres acquire:
- Braden Schneider
- 2026 second-round pick (Carolina)
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one and one that does make sense for both parties. The Rangers would get an offensive defenseman which they need, while Buffalo gets a second-round pick and a shutdown physical right-shot defenseman.
The Rangers would add Byram, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million extension with the Sabres this offseason, as he was RFA. Byram would help replace the void of Miller and give New York another puck-moving offensive defenseman. Byram recorded 7 goals and 31 assists for 38 points last season, but with the Rangers, his offensive production should be more due to being on a better team.
In return, the Rangers would give up a second-round pick as well as Schneider who’s a big, phsyical right-shot defenseman. Buffalo wants to get harder to play against, and he would do just that for the Sabres. He’s entering the final year of his two-year, $4.4 million deal, but is an RFA at the end of the deal. Schneider recorded 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 80 games, but is more of a shutdown defenseman.
Insider Believes Sabres Still Could Shop Byram
Despite Byram signing a two-year extension, his name has remained in trade rumors.
Byram was in trade talks this summer but ended up signing an extension. However, NHL insider Jeff Marek of DailyFaceoff believes the extension could also make a trade easier.
“I think it does, I really do. I think that, all of a sudden, now, that question has been answered… Because I believe there’s a feeling internally that the blueline is too young, and that they’ve spent too long with too many young players here and they need some veterans in the top-four,” Marek said on The Sheet.
If Byram is indeed available for trade, several NHL teams will be interested in him and the Rangers should be one of them.
Rangers Remade Defense
New York traded away Miller and signed Vladislav Gavrikov to remake their defense.
However, the Rangers may not be done adding to their blue line, but general manager Chris Drury likes what he sees right now.
“It starts in our D-zone,” Drury said when asked about how Gavrikov will improve the team. “We have to be better in our zone, we have to be better in front of (Igor Shesterkin) and (Jonathan Quick). To me, that’s the mindset he shows up with every single day.
“The size, the reach, the competitiveness, the way he defends and the way he is able to complement his partner, whether that’s (Adam) Fox or any other of our right-shot D that we have, that’s what excited all of us in targeting this player. Thrilled to be able to have him as a key part of that D corps,” Drury added.
The Rangers are hoping to make the playoffs next season.
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