Mattias Samuelsson Enters The Fray As Another Sabres Trade Piece

While Bowen Byram's name has been one of those that's front and center on the list of Buffalo Sabres trade candidates, another blueliner is now entering the fray, according to the latest trade board from insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet. He lists Mattias Samuelsson as a viable trade option.

The Sabres have a lot on the table to consider, but the feeling is that if they could move Samuelsson, they could turn around and re-sign Byram instead of trading him. It might be a one or the other situation.

Samuelsson is only in the second season of a 7-year, $4.285 million AAV contract. Freeing up that money would help them to offer Byram the nearly $9 million AAV he is projected to command on a long-term deal.

The 24-year-old Samuelsson has had an injury-riddled tenure with the Sabres, with his career high being just 55 games played, two seasons ago. He managed just 41 games last year and has missed 19 thus far this season, though he was just activated from his second absence and played 20 minutes in their 8-2 win over the NY Rangers on Saturday night, slotting right back into the top four.

As for Byram, despite the trade rumors, the 23-year-old, a pending RFA, is having a very good season in his first full year with the Sabres after they acquired him at the 2024 deadline from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt.

Byram has registered a career-high 22 assists and has tied his career-best in points , at 29, through 55 games. He is also sitting on a personal best plus/minus rating of +11, while logging the most ice time he's ever had, at 23:07 per night.