NHL News: Sabres’ strategy shift reportedly stalls Blues’ Bowen Byram trade pursuit

The buzz around Bowen Byram was building fast. Rumors linked the young defenseman, then with the Buffalo Sabres, to several potential landing spots, with the St. Louis Blues among the most persistent suitors. Social media reports circulated, insiders noted possible movement, and speculation grew about a trade before the season.

But then — silence. Days turned to weeks without a single credible update. No blockbuster announcement, no leaks from team executives, no “sources confirm” headlines. The momentum that once seemed inevitable evaporated, leaving fans to wonder what exactly went wrong.

This week, that question was finally answered. Appearing on The Shaun Starr Show, NHL insider Marco D’Amico peeled back the curtain on why Byram stayed put. The story, as it turns out, was less about a single failed negotiation and more about a growing, league-wide challenge.

Why did the Bowen Byram trade market collapse?

According to D’Amico, the problem was a fundamental disconnect between buyers and sellers. “The key right now is that we didn’t necessarily see a wide range of sellers. But we had a wide range of buyers. And the issue is, the currency that the buyers were willing to give, the sellers were not wanting,” he explained.

The Blues and other interested clubs were prepared to offer futures — draft picks and developing prospects — but Buffalo, who controls Byram’s rights, wanted established, NHL-ready talent. Without that, negotiations stalled before they could gain real traction.

A shift in how NHL trades are getting done

D’Amico noted that Buffalo’s stance reflects a broader offseason pattern. Recent deals, like JJ Peterka’s move from Buffalo to Utah, have been player-for-player swaps instead of pick-heavy trades. “Teams want help now, not years from now,” he added, framing it as a shift toward immediacy that leaves “future assets” carrying less trade weight than before.

Byram’s contract status only complicated matters. With two years left on his current deal, the Sabres saw no urgency to move him at a discount. Instead, they opted to “kick the can down the road” and wait for a time when his market value might rise again.