Bowen Byram Had A Bigger Offer On The Table This Offseason

Bowen Byram recently secured a six-year, $75 million contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, but details emerged this week indicating he left more money on the table. Darren Ferris, Byram’s agent, confirmed that a different team had offered a four-year deal worth $56 million, which equates to a significantly higher average annual value of $14 million.

While the prospect of a higher salary exists, Byram chose to prioritize the long-term stability offered by the Blackhawks. The Chicago deal includes full trade protection, a key factor in his decision-making process. Byram’s camp also factored in the local tax environment as a contributor to the final agreement with Chicago.

Byram is moving into his age-26 campaign when the new contract takes effect for the 2027-28 season. Had he opted for the shorter, more lucrative deal, he would have reached unrestricted free agency again at age 30. By signing for six years with Chicago, he will be 32 when he enters his next round of contract negotiations.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson faced criticism regarding the trade cost to acquire Byram from the Buffalo Sabres and the value of this subsequent extension. However, the revelation that another team was prepared to pay a premium for his services suggests the market for young defensemen is aggressive. Byram aims to step into a more prominent role in Chicago than he held previously, setting the stage for his growth on the blue line.