"The traits that Bo possesses are, in our opinion, elite ones," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. "They’re ones that are in high, high demand around the league and they are ones that we believe when put into the position we’re going to put him in this year, demand a significant reward and compensation. So that’s something we believe he’s going to step into. He’s going to own it, he’s going to prove it and be worth the investment we’re placing in him. We’ve known and watched Bo for a long time and he’s someone we believe in a great, great deal. It’s obvious through what we traded for him and what we’ve given in the extension. So, we have all the confidence in the world that he’s going to live up to that and be a difference maker for us for a long time."
The 25-year-old defenseman has one season remaining on a two-year, $12.5 million contract ($6.25 million AAV) he signed with Buffalo on July 14, 2025, and could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Byram set an NHL career high with 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games last season. He also had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games for Buffalo, which qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
"I think the reason I'm standing in front of you guys in Chicago today is because they believe in me and how I play, the player I am," Byram said. "So, I don't think I necessarily need to change anything. Do I think I can be better and evolve? One-hundred percent. I think I'm going to get the opportunity to do so here and I'm super excited for that. But I also think I'm ready for it physically, mentally, on the ice, off the ice, whatever it might be to do so. I'm just super excited."
The No. 4 pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft, Byram has 152 points (44 goals, 108 assists) in 328 regular-season games for the Avalanche and Sabres. He won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022, when he had nine assists in 20 playoff games.
"I feel I've had pressure my whole career," Byram said. "I was a fourth-overall pick six years ago, whatever it is. I've played in a lot of big games, World Junior games, Western (Hockey) League final games, Stanley Cup Final games, Game 7s in the playoffs. I feel like for being a young guy, only playing around 300 games in the NHL, I've got a lot of experience. So I'll definitely draw on that. But like I said, I don't think pressure's anything that I'm not totally used to. I feel I've been under the gun my whole career, whether it's trade rumors or pressure to perform or underperforming, whatever it might be. It's something I'm used to, for sure."
On Wednesday the Blackhawks also signed defenseman Ian Cole to a one-year, $4 million contract, and forward Cole Smith to a three-year, $9 million contract.
Cole had 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 82 regular-season games for the Utah Mammoth and two points (one goal, one assist) in six playoff games last season.
Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 18) of the 2007 NHL Draft, the 37-year-old has 233 points (38 goals, 195 assists) in 990 regular-season games for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Mammoth and 33 points (four goals, 29 assists) in 135 playoff games.
Cole won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Smith, 30, had 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 63 games with the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators last season. He has 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 292 regular-season games for the Predators and Golden Knights and six points (three goals, three assists) in 27 playoff games.
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
