Sabres Trade Byram and Greenway to Blackhawks for Fourth Overall Pick

In a significant move ahead of the NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have traded defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks. The deal, announced Tuesday, sends Byram and Greenway to Chicago in exchange for the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft, a 2026 second-round pick (45th overall), and defenseman Louis Crevier.

Byram, who is currently in the second year of a two-year, $12.5 million bridge deal, had been the subject of trade talks as the draft approached. With indications that he intends to explore free agency next summer rather than sign a long-term extension with Buffalo, the Sabres opted to make a move. General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen had expressed interest in extending Byram, especially following his career-high 42-point season, but it became clear that Byram was seeking a deal that exceeded the Sabres’ budget or desired to be a top defenseman elsewhere.

Before joining the Sabres in March 2024, Byram played behind Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar in Colorado. Since arriving in Buffalo, he has been positioned on the second pairing behind team captain Rasmus Dahlin.

Greenway, meanwhile, was signed to a two-year, $8 million contract extension last March by former GM Kevyn Adams after a challenging season marred by injuries, during which he managed only eight points in 34 games. This season has seen Greenway struggle further, netting just one goal in 40 games, prompting speculation about a potential buyout.

As part of the trade, the Sabres also acquired Louis Crevier, a 25-year-old defenseman who was originally a seventh-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2020. Crevier has played in both the AHL and NHL, and last season with Chicago, he tallied 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists) in 78 games, showcasing a newfound physicality with 63 penalty minutes.

With this trade, the Sabres now hold two first-round picks in the draft, sitting at fourth and 20th overall, the latter of which was acquired in a previous deal for Michael Kesselring. As the draft approaches, speculation suggests that the Toronto Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna with the top pick, while the San Jose Sharks may choose Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg after trading forward William Eklund to Ottawa for the ninth overall pick. Should Vancouver select Caleb Malhotra third, Buffalo will have a prime opportunity to pick from a talented defensive class that includes Soo Greyhounds blueliner Chase Reid, North Dakota’s Keaton Verhoeff, Latvian Albert Smits, or Prince George’s Carson Carels.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.