Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – With 16 games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season, the Buffalo Sabres are creeping their way back into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
Ahead of Thursday night's showdown with the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo, the Sabres sit five points out of the final Wild Card spot, which is currently held down by their opponent currently in town.
After losing a trio of games just ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, the Sabres have rallied back with a couple of huge wins on home ice against the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings. A win on Thursday would give Buffalo just their second three-game winning streak of the season.
One of the major contributors to the Sabres' recent turnaround has been the play of recently acquired defenseman Bowen Byram.
The 22-year-old was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last week Wednesday two day ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for forward Casey Mittelstadt.
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In his three games played since the trade, Byram has scored three goals and added an assist, and has already played a key role on the Sabres' power play and penalty kill.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams admits that Byram has been a player he’s had his eyes on for a few years now.
"This is a player I’ve been a fan of for a while now, and he’s really everything I look for in a defenseman," said Adams on Thursday during an appearance on "Schopp and the Bulldog" on WGR. "He’s a guy I felt could jump right into a Rasmus Dahlin pairing, and fortunately they are building chemistry and have played well together."
Among the other players moved by the Sabres ahead of last Friday's trade deadline included veteran defenseman Erik Johnson, as well as captain Kyle Okposo.
Despite trading some more veteran pieces from the roster, one veteran Adams did not move by 3 p.m. EST on Friday was forward Zemgus Girgensons.
Adams says he was open to having discussions about the 30-year-old, but felt what he brings to the table for this Sabres group was far more valuable.
"I would say it like this: If Zemgus Girgensons is not on your team, you are looking for a clone of Girgensons. If you have him and a contract makes sense, that's why you keep him," Adams said with Mike Schopp and Chris "Bulldog" Parker.
More from Adams' appearance during "Schopp and the Bulldog" is available in the player below:
