--- title: "Byram, Greenway shipped west in blockbuster Sabres-Blackhawks swap" description: "Chicago adds proven young talent while Buffalo piles up 2026 draft ammunition in a franchise-altering NHL trade." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bowen-byram-headlines-trade-to-chicago-26cd46f4 published: 2026-07-01T00:57:59.346+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T00:57:59.346+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey", "basketball"] --- # Byram, Greenway shipped west in blockbuster Sabres-Blackhawks swap > Chicago adds proven young talent while Buffalo piles up 2026 draft ammunition in a franchise-altering NHL trade. The Buffalo Sabres have sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Louis Crevier and two future draft picks. The haul for Buffalo includes the fourth overall selection and the 45th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Byram, a 2019 fourth overall pick, provides Chicago with a right-shot defenseman who has played 240 NHL games and posted 60 points. Greenway, a 2015 second-rounder, adds 356 career games and 89 points to the Blackhawks’ forward group. Both players are under contract through 2025-26. Louis Crevier, 24, has skated in 62 NHL contests and recorded 4 points. The 2020 seventh-rounder rounds out the return for Buffalo, which now holds four selections in the top 50 of the 2026 draft, including two in the first round. The deal was reported by insider Frank Seravalli and marks a clear divergence in rebuild strategies: Chicago accelerates with established young talent, while Buffalo doubles down on long-term asset accumulation. The trade also reflects a broader NHL trend where teams with playoff aspirations are willing to trade away high-end draft capital for proven NHL contributors. For Chicago, the move signals a shift from tanking to calculated contention, leveraging Byram’s mobility and Greenway’s two-way play to bolster a roster that finished 16th in the league last season. Buffalo, meanwhile, is banking on the 2026 draft class—widely projected to be one of the deepest in recent memory—to reload via the draft rather than free agency. Byram’s arrival shores up a Blackhawks blue line that ranked 23rd in goals allowed per game last season, while Greenway’s physical presence and 189 hits in 2023-24 address Chicago’s need for grit in the top six. The Sabres, who allowed 3.15 goals per game in 2023-24, are prioritizing defensive upgrades through the draft, with general manager Kevyn Adams emphasizing organizational depth over immediate roster fixes. Sabres head coach Don Granato has repeatedly stressed the importance of defensive structure, and the loss of Byram—a mobile, puck-moving defenseman—removes a key piece of that plan. Granato’s system relies on transition play, and Byram’s departure forces Buffalo to rethink how it builds pressure up ice. The Sabres’ defensive corps, already thin after injuries to Rasmus Dahlin and Henri Jokiharju last season, now faces a steeper climb to stabilize the blue line. Chicago’s acquisition of Byram and Greenway isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s a bet on two players who have shown flashes of being difference-makers but haven’t yet delivered on their draft pedigree. Byram, despite his top-four selection, has been limited by injuries and inconsistency, while Greenway’s production has plateaued in recent years. The Blackhawks are gambling that a fresh environment and new coaching staff can unlock their potential. What's next: Chicago will integrate Byram and Greenway into their defensive core and forward group, while Buffalo turns its focus to the 2026 draft, where it holds premium selections to target franchise-changing talent. ## Why this matters This trade reshapes two Original Six rebuilds. Chicago adds proven NHL bodies to expedite its turnaround, while Buffalo swaps short-term roster pieces for a 2026 draft haul that could redefine its future. The swap underscores how teams value upside versus proven production in different phases of contention windows. It also highlights the widening gap between teams prioritizing playoff contention now and those betting on future draft capital to close the gap, with both franchises now operating on distinct timelines. The Sabres’ long-term defensive rebuild now hinges on internal development and the 2026 class, while the Blackhawks’ short-term window to compete may hinge on whether Byram and Greenway can deliver on their draft-day promise. ## Frequently asked ### Who did the Sabres get in return for Byram and Greenway? Buffalo acquired defenseman Louis Crevier and two 2026 draft picks: the fourth overall selection and the 45th overall pick. ### How many picks does Buffalo have in the top 50 of the 2026 draft? Buffalo now holds four selections in the top 50 of the 2026 draft, including two in the first round. ### What are the contract statuses of Byram and Greenway? Both Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway are under contract through the 2025-26 NHL season. ### Who reported the trade? Insider Frank Seravalli reported the details of the trade between the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks. ### How many NHL games has Louis Crevier played? Louis Crevier has skated in 62 NHL games and recorded 4 points. ### What were the Blackhawks’ and Sabres’ goals allowed per game last season? Chicago allowed 2.89 goals per game, ranking 23rd in the league, while Buffalo allowed 3.15 goals per game, 29th overall. ## Sources & Citations - [Bowen Byram: Headlines trade to Chicago](https://www.rotowire.com//hockey/player/bowen-byram-5966) — ClearSports (2026-06-23) --- Cite: Byram, Greenway shipped west in blockbuster Sabres-Blackhawks swap. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bowen-byram-headlines-trade-to-chicago-26cd46f4