The Toronto Maple Leafs could be in on Buffalo Sabres’ RFA defenseman Bowen Byram. Byram has been rumored to be on the trade block for quite some time.
The Fourth Period listed Byram as second on its 2025 Summer Trade List. The rationale behind trading Byram is the desire for the Sabres to add a top-six forward.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to revamp their team amid the so-called DNA change proposed by GM Brad Treliving. Byram is a young, blue liner who could offer a mix of toughness and skill, though he projects as a bottom-pairing option.
With that in mind, here’s what a proposed Maple Leafs-Sabres trade involving Bowen Byram could look like:
Maple Leafs get:
Bowen Byran, D (RFA)
2025 seventh-round pick
Sabres get:
Nick Roberston, F (RFA)
Bobby McMann, F
Simon Benoit, D
2025 fifth-round pick
The Sabres get two forwards in this proposed deal. Nick Robertson is a throw-in given his RFA status and potential summer drama for the second summer in a row. The main piece is Bobby McMann.
McMann has played in the Leafs’ top six at various stretches over the last couple of seasons. He’s on the books for $1.35 million this season, giving the Sabres flexibility to make another move if needed.
Benoit allows the Sabres to get an immediate replacement for Byram. Benoit has slid down the Leafs’ depth chart, occupying the seventh-defenseman role.
The swap in picks gives the Sabres another shot at selecting a potential NHLer in the fifth round. For the Maple Leafs, the seventh-rounder is another lottery ticket at the 2025 NHL Draft.
How Bowen Byram Fits into Maple Leafs’ Blue Line
The Maple Leafs have four left-shot defensemen on their depth chart: Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Simon Benoit.
By sending Benoit to the Sabres, the Leafs open up a spot for Byram. Still, that would leave the Leafs with Rielly, McCabe, and Ekman-Larsson on the depth chart. Byram could leapfrog Ekman-Larsson as the 33-year-old may need some time off throughout the season.
Perhaps moving Byram to the right side could make more sense. Byram could slide into the bottom pair with Ekman-Larsson, giving the Leafs two solid defensive, puck-moving blue liners in the bottom pair. He has played on the right side with Rasmus Dahlin, so that could be a reasonable move.
Byram Could Balance Toronto’s Defense Core
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a veteran blue-line core. Four of their top six blue liners are over 30, with Chris Tanev, 35 at this point.
Adding Byram allows coach Craig Berube to balance his defense pairings throughout the season. Instead of relying more on one pairing over another, Berube could deploy three solid pairings, allowing him to balance ice time and manage injuries more effectively.
It’s also worth pointing out that Byram can move up the depth chart as injuries and maintenance become an issue as the season progresses. Yes, Byram could be an expensive third-pairing defenseman.
But he’s the sort of insurance policy that Stanley Cup contenders like to have throughout the season and heading into the NHL playoffs.
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