BowenByram

News: 15 hours agoByram scored three goals, including the OT winner, placed five shots on net and recorded two hits in Monday's 4-3 overtime preseason win against the Wild.

Spin: In his first official appearance since signing a six-year, $75 million contract with Chicago, Byram found favor with his new fanbase by scoring a hat trick. He found the back of the net in the second and third periods before placing the puck five hole past Minnesota's Calvin Pickard in overtime to secure the exhibition win. The 25-year-old blueliner is coming off a career year in 2025-26, where he posted 11 goals, 42 points, 109 shots on net, 50 hits and 93 blocked shots across 82 regular-season games. If Monday's showing was any indication of what's to come for the rising star, Byram may have found his new home in Chicago, where he'll likely lead the team's blueline at even strength and on the power play.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Byram's final season in Buffalo resulted in him playing in all 82 games for a second straight campaign. He potted 11 goals in addition to finishing with a career-best 42 points and plus-15 rating. Byram was traded to the Blackhawks in late June in exchange for a massive package which included the No. 4 overall pick in the recently completed draft. The 25-year-old is slated to serve as Chicago's No. 1 defenseman moving forward. It's a gig which should lead to a boatload of fantasy value, but keep in mind Byram has never posted more than 109 shots on goal or seven power-play points in any single season. The transition to this enhanced role is not a lock to go swimmingly.