Sabres’ Bowen Byram, Mammoth’s Jack McBain Heading to Arbitration

Two top free agents out of the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth are headed to the salary arbitration process.

Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) makes a pass as Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tanner Pearson (70) defends during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images / Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth will be heading to salary arbitration. Each team opted into the arbitration process to help resolve outstanding contract negotiations with top restricted free agents. Now, the Sabres and defenseman Bowen Byram as well as the Mammoth and forward Jack McBain are headed to moderation.

The Mammoth and Sabres took advantage of the July 6th deadline for organizations to elect arbitration. The day before, 11 players chose this option.

Now that Byram and McBain are heading to arbitration, it changes a few aspects of the negotiation. The first is that neither can sign an offer sheet. Because of this, no other organization can swoop in and try to force the Sabres or Mammoth’s hands in a negotiation.

The second is that the players get to choose the term in dispute. That means that Byram or McBain could choose any length of time for this deal that will be arbitrated. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggested that both may choose two-year deals in an effort to eliminate the rest of their restricted free agent years. If both sign a two-year deal, they will be able to go to unrestricted free agency in their late 20s, giving them each a chance to maximize their career earnings.

“Since the team took them to arbitration,” he wrote via his X account. “The player (and agent) pick the term of the award. If they wish, both could choose two-year deals and go directly to unrestricted free agency. Still time to decide.”

Now, neither player can sign an offer sheet

Since the team took them to arbtiration, the player (and agent) pick the term of the award. If they wish, both could choose two-year deals and go directly to unrestricted free agency. Still time to decide. https://t.co/ZlwU8RC95r

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 6, 2025

Arbitration is the next chapter of the ongoing saga between the Sabres and their talented defender. The league remains very interested in Byram, and he will still be a top trade candidate even after arbitration is complete.

The 25-year-old McBain is coming off his fourth NHL season. Last year, he recorded a career best 13 goals and 27 points, and is looking for a raise from the $1.6 million he made against the salary cap last year.

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