Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram had a stellar breakout season, notching 31 assists and 38 points while averaging just over 22 minutes of ice time per game. As a pending RFA, he is expected to command a raise from his current $3.85 million salary. Byram expressed enthusiasm about his contract negotiations, highlighting the positive atmosphere in the Sabres locker room. The team faces tough decisions ahead, with multiple RFAs, including Devon Levi and Jack Quinn, needing to be re-signed. The Sabres may explore trading Byram to address other roster gaps, particularly if they aim for a long-term solution instead of a short-term fix.

Mattias Samuelsson, another Sabres defenseman, endured a challenging season marred by injuries but showed improvement towards the end. Despite a five-year contract at $4.286 million per season, questions linger about his future with the team. With the Sabres looking to shake up their roster, there's speculation about potential trades involving Samuelsson as they aim to improve moving into next season.