Blackhawks share D-man Bowen Byram’s status ahead of Sabres game
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks will be without defenseman Bowen Byram when they face the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
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Byram was absent from Chicago’s morning skate before the NHL game. Blackhawks reporter Ben Pope later shared that Byram is dealing with a family matter.
“Byram is out tonight attending to a family matter, Blashill says,” Pope wrote on X.
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The absence comes during Byram’s first season with Chicago after the Blackhawks acquired him from Buffalo during the offseason.
Byram has played two games for Chicago this season without recording a point. He has three blocked shots and a minus-4 rating during that stretch.
Blackhawks adjust their defensive pairings
Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram (24), third from right, celebrates with teammates at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)With Byram unavailable, Jeff Blashill will turn to Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro.
“Korchinski and Del Mastro will both play. Rinzel scratched,” Pope reported.
Sam Rinzel will be a healthy scratch against Buffalo, leaving Chicago to adjust its defensive group for the road matchup.
The game also carries additional significance for Byram because Buffalo is his former team. Chicago acquired the defenseman from the Sabres on June 23 in a trade that included the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks later signed Byram to a six-year, $75 million contract extension. The deal carries an annual average value of $12.5 million.
Byram originally entered the NHL after Colorado selected him fourth overall in the 2019 draft. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 before joining Buffalo.
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Chicago enters Saturday’s game at 0-2 after losing its first two games. The Blackhawks will also be without Andrew Mangiapane and Connor Bedard, who are both listed as out. Buffalo is 0-1 after opening the season with a loss. The Sabres will host Chicago at KeyBank Center with the puck scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. ET.
For Chicago, Byram’s absence adds another challenge to a defense already adjusting early in the season.
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