Long-standing Philadelphia Flyers trade target Bowen Byram isn't leaving the Buffalo Sabres just yet.
On Monday, it was announced that Byram, 24, signed a two-year, $12.5 million ($6.5 million AAV) contract extension with the Sabres, keeping him in Buffalo for two more seasons and quelling any trade talks... for now.
The former No. 4 overall pick has long said to be a coveted trade target of the Flyers, even as recently as this offseason, but the price has still proven to be too steep on a player who would effectively be a reclamation project with an extensive injury history a la Jamie Drysdale.
It was previously reported that the Flyers were interested in both Byram and J.J. Peterka, but the latter was dealt to the Utah Mammoth and the former has now elected to stay put.
With his new deal, it is expected Byram will get a chance to prove himself and carry his own defensive pairing in a top-four role.
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The offensive upside is there; the 24-year-old, known for his skating and puck skills, produced 38 points last season while playing in all 82 regular season games for the first time in his career.
When the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, Byram produced nine points in 20 games despite failing to score a goal on 44 shots on goal. With a bit of shooting luck, you're looking at 0.75 points per game in that playoff run or better.
It should be noted that this new contract probably won't take Byram off the Flyers' radar any time soon.
Having only received a two-year deal, Byram will burn both of his last remaining RFA years and walk straight into unrestricted free agency in 2027 - the year the Flyers have the potential to do the most damage on the market, with Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan Ellis each seeing their contracts expire.
Byram also doesn't have any trade protection in his contract, so if the Sabres want to avoid losing him for free and/or Byram fails to come into his own, a team like the Flyers can swoop in and provide an asset or two and take their own chance on the talented rearguard.
Until then, though, we can't put the cart before the horse. Byram is remaining a Sabres player... for now.