Should the Flyers Take A Risk on Bowen Byram?

While Bryam definitely has more potential as an offensive defenseman than a lockdown defender, he is definitely more of a two-way player.

However, after seeing what kind of monster Quinn Hughes became while playing for Tocchet, you wonder what he could do for a player like Byram.

The Sabres blueliner is coming fresh off his first 82-game season, where he posted 7 goals and 31 assists for 38 points, and a rating of +11. On that Sabres team, that is a great stat line. That would have led Flyers defensemen in points.

The season prior, Bryam played 73 games split between the Avalanche and Sabres, where he had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points.

Byram was a power-play and penalty-kill player last season for the Sabres.

Injury concern is part of the risk in trading for Bowen Bryam. He has had three concussions during his NHL career, as well as a lower-body injury that caused him to miss half of the 2022-23 season. However, two almost full seasons back-to-back are a promising sign for his health.

Byram will be 24 when the 2025-26 season begins, which fits him into the Flyers’ long-term plans. He would pair nicely with Travis Sanheim on the top-pair for the Flyers on the left side.

Bowen Byram would be worth the risk.

What Could the Flyers Give Up for Bowen Bryam

Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Sabres could entertain trade inquiries on their pending RFA this offseason, because, like the Flyers, they are looking to become competitors this offseason.

With a defensive corps already containing Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson, Pagnotta reported that the Sabres could look to trade Byram and add a top-six forward into the mix. That’s where the Flyers could come into play.