The Detroit Red Wings are battling for a playoff spot, and a trade suggestion has them strengthening their defense.
The PuckGM tool on PuckPedia allows users to craft their own trades. One user put forward a proposal that would have the Red Wings trading for Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres.
Red Wings receive:
- Bowen Byram
Sabres receive:
- William Wallinder
- Jonatan Berggren
- 2025 first-round pick (Top-10 protected)
This proposed trade would be an intriguing move, with Detroit acquiring a top-four defenseman in exchange for a prospect, a first-round pick, and a depth forward.
Byram, who is in the final year of his two-year, $7.7 million contract, will be a restricted free agent when the deal ends. Selected fourth overall in 2019, he was a crucial part of the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup win in 2022. At just 23 years old, he would fit well in Detroit, potentially anchoring their blue line for years. This season, he has played 32 games, scoring 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 points.
The main assets in return for Detroit would be the first-round pick and Wallinder, a second-round pick from 2020. Wallinder, currently playing in the AHL, would help replace Byram on the Sabres’ defense. In 17 AHL games this season, he has 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points.
Berggren, a bottom-six forward, would provide depth for Buffalo. On a one-year, $825,000 contract, he has 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in 30 games this season.
Byram a Trade Candidate
Despite Byram playing a key role on the Sabres and being young, his name has come up in trade talks.
Ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston released his trade board and had Byram ranked 16th on his list.
“The Sabres aren’t actively shopping the 23-year-old defenseman, but he could be the player they need to move in order to trigger a significant change,” Johnston wrote. “Byram is an elite skater capable of logging heavy minutes, and his best seasons are likely still ahead of him. However, he is set to become a restricted free agent after this season. While the Sabres control his rights, they already have a lot of money and term invested in their defense, meaning tough decisions are ahead.”
Byram is an offensive defenseman who can run a power play and has valuable playoff experience, having been part of a Stanley Cup-winning team.
Red Wings Defenseman Injured
Detroit secured a big win on December 18 but faced a setback with an injury to Simon Edvinsson. He did not return after leaving early in the second period due to an upper-body injury.
“Obviously, he only played a handful of minutes,” said coach Derek Lalonde about Edvinsson. “He’s really solid for our defense. To play most of the game with five defensemen, especially with many of them not used to top-four minutes, I thought they really fought through it.”
The Red Wings will be back on the ice on December 20 to face the Montreal Canadiens.
