NHL News: Tage Thompson teammate reaches deal to stay in Buffalo for two more years at $12 million

Tage Thompson will have a teammate back for the upcoming season after the player recently reached a $12.5 million deal with the club, securing a solid salary with the Buffalo Sabres for the next two years.

After playing all 82 games last season in Buffalo, it was expected that Bowen Byram would return, and that became reality when he finally reached an agreement with the team. They avoided arbitration, and Byram will earn an annual salary of $6.25 million, slightly less than Thompson.

Rick Dhaliwal was among the first to report on X, stating, “Hearing Buffalo and Bowen Byram will avoid arbitration, they are closing in on a new deal.” Elliotte Friedman later joined in, revealing Byram’s salary, which increased by 62.33%.

A Standout Season for Byram

The new deal between the Sabres and Bowen Byram is clearly a direct result of his performance last season. It marked the first time in his career that he played more than 80 NHL games, and he also set career highs in several categories, including 31 assists, 38 points, 94 shots on goal, and 209 total shots attempted, among others.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Bowen Byram #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Garden on December 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

At just 23 years old, Byram’s future is bright. Fans reacted favorably on social media to the news that the defenseman will remain with the team for two more years, playing alongside Tage Thompson and fellow young blueliner Owen Power.

“Excellent, absolutely will have a better defence this year,” Buffalo fan Rick Davidson posted on X. “It’s a shame the goalies are only average, I hope the new guy Lyon plays better than UPL last year (terrible) or UPL makes a major step forward.”