As NHL teams continue to fine-tune their blue lines this offseason, the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks have emerged as active suitors for Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, with multiple sources indicating serious interest from both teams. However, St. Louis appears to be leading the race.
After falling below the salary cap floor, the Sharks made a flurry of roster moves this week, signing John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million deal and Dmitry Orlov to a two-year, $13 million contract. They also claimed Nick Leddy off waivers, absorbing his $4 million cap hit.
Darren Dreger: Re Bowen Byram offer sheet: The threat is real; we may have something on that today, if it develops at all - First Up
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 4, 2025
Combined with Logan Couture’s $8 million contract, these transactions helped bring San Jose back over the cap floor — but sources say GM Mike Grier isn’t done.
Grier reportedly showed interest in Nic Hague prior to his trade to the Nashville Predators, and has since turned his attention toward Byram, a 23-year-old restricted free agent believed to be seeking a long-term deal in the range of $9 million annually.
While the Sharks are engaged, the St. Louis Blues are believed to be the most aggressive team in pursuit. Other clubs expressing interest include the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings.
Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams has made it clear he’s not overly concerned about an offer sheet scenario, stating that the team would “absolutely” match any offer:
“We’ll be matching and have the opportunity to have a player under contract who we think helps our team win.”
That stance hasn’t deterred other teams. Adams has shown a clear preference for NHL-ready talent in any trade return, rather than futures or prospects, increasing the chances of a hockey deal over a traditional asset dump.
The Blues have recently opened up cap flexibility by losing Nick Leddy on waivers and can further increase space by placing Torey Krug on LTIR. Krug is not expected to play this season due to injury, which could free up as much as $6.5 million in space — giving them a real opportunity to afford Byram’s next deal.
Even as they pursue Byram, the Sharks are actively shopping other pieces of their current blue line. Sources confirm that both Timothy Liljegren and Henry Thrun are available for trade.
Mario Ferraro, who is entering the final year of his contract, is also drawing interest. While Grier hasn’t rushed to move the 26-year-old, there is a belief that Ferraro could be dealt either for forward help or closer to the deadline when his trade value peaks.
San Jose is also reportedly in the market for a top-six winger, though efforts to land one — including an attempt at Nikolaj Ehlers — have so far fallen short.
Expect continued movement on the Byram front in the coming days. If the Blues don’t close a deal soon, another team may step up with an offer sheet or hockey trade proposal.
Meanwhile, San Jose’s rebuild continues, with the front office navigating the fine line between staying competitive and setting up for the future.
Bowen Byram, NHL Trade Rumors, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, NHL Offseason 2025, Mike Grier, Kevyn Adams, NHL Blue Line Moves, Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, Mario Ferraro, Nick Leddy, Torey Krug LTIR, NHL Offer Sheets
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