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Local now NHL’s highest paid defenseman
Cranbrook’s Bowen Byram is now the highest paid defensemen in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 23 by the Buffalo Sabres, Byram, 25, today signed a six-year, $75 million contract ($12.5 million per) with the Hawks, TSN reports.
When Byram’s deal kicks in next season, he will pass Erik Karlsson’s $11.5 million annual salary.
However, it is unlikely Byram, a Stanley Cup winner with Colorado Avalanche in his rookie year in 2022, will retain that title for long as the NHL salary cap is rising and superstar defenders such as Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are approaching new contract negotiations.
Byram scored 11 goals and 31 assists in 82 regular-season games with Buffalo last season and notched four goals and three assists in 13 playoff games.
He was drafted fourth overall by the Avalanche in 2019 and has tallied 44 goals and 152 points in 328 career games with the Avalanche and Sabres.
Lead image: Bowen Byram brought the Stanley Cup to Cranbrook following his championship run with the Avs in 2022. e-KNOW file photo
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