Byram trade shows the Blackhawks are becoming more aggressive

Kyle Davidson got the Chicago Blackhawks offseason underway with a bang yesterday as he dealt Chicago's 2026 4th overall pick, 45th pick, and Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway.

This was quite a package to part with for the 25 year old defenseman's services. Clearly, the Blackhawks thought the fourth pick was movable, with the odds of Ivar Stenberg being there for the taking looking slim. With three second-rounders in the arsenal, it is not surprising to see one of those utilized. Lastly, the loss of Crevier is unfortunate as he was one of Chicago's top performers on a young blueline that struggled last season.

It is fair to say that this price was a considerable overpayment made by Davidson in order to secure Byram. With that said, perhaps that should not be surprising with the current NHL climate. Since this is still a team in the midst of a rebuild, sacrifices would have to be made to acquire an impact player of Byram's caliber.

Regardless of how Blackhawks fans feel about this trade, the message has been made clear from the front office. The time has arrived to accelerate the rebuild.

The pressure is on for Chicago to start winning

After four straight years of bottom-three finishes, this team needs to ascend in the standings next season. While Davidson did receive a multi-year contract extension upon conclusion of this latest campaign, he knows the sense of urgency needs to be higher from this point forward. He can no longer afford to sit back and solely rely on a youth roster pushing this team upwards.

The Blackhawks have spent the last four years acquiring top draft picks under Davidson. The team has made 11 first-round picks during that period. The prospect pool has been built; the young talent pool is strong. The focus is now being shifted towards bringing in established veteran support to supplement the core.

It became clear with the way the year ended for this team that a defensive upgrade was necessary. Chicago's young defense struggled mightily down the stretch, leaving goaltender Spencer Knight out to dry in most games. This period showed a depandable vet minute-mucher who can take some pressure off the kids was needed.

In Byram, this group adds a defenseman to the fold who still has potenatial to be a number one defenseman in this league. He will receive a greater opportunity to do so here than he had in Colorado and Buffalo. If he can become a reliable top-pair dman for this squad, this deal could age well in the long run.

Of course, there are a lot of ifs there. This trade could also age poorly if Byram fails to take that next step in his game. Heading into a contract year, he will need to be extended soon as well. That will be a rich contract in store, one that he will hopefully live up to as opposed to certain Blackhawks defensemen of the past.

Davidson still has more work to do this summer if the team wants to make that jump next year. He has addressed the defense; it would seem a top-six forward upgrade may be in store next. Providing Connor Bedard with an elite linemate should be at the top of the priority list now.

Overall, the stakes have been raised in Chicago. The pressure is on for this team to start winning games and progressing out of this long rebuild. Playoff hockey has been absent from this city for a long time. The moment has come to become more aggressive in reaching that goal.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow