The Buffalo Sabres made their first pick in the first round by selecting defenseman Radim Mrtka ninth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. The LA Kings need to take note of the player and position they drafted because it could signal their desire in moving Bowen Byram, a player who has been rumored to be available for a few weeks now.
The LA Kings need to figure out what they are going to do with their defense, and it feels like there is a lot of moving parts with a part of their team that was their strength last season. The first priority is whether or not they can re-sign Vladislav Gavrikov, and it is a deal that has to get done before free agency. If Gavrikov reaches free agency, there will be a team that will probably offer more in terms of AAV than the Kings are comfortable with.
On top of that, the Kings are reportedly interested in trading Jordan Spence as they feel like he might not fit in the current roster with players like Brandt Clarke and Drew Doughty ahead of him on the depth chart.
Buffalo Sabres drafting another defenseman should be an indication they are ready to move Bowen Byram
The Buffalo Sabres have a very crowded blue line with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and the recent addition of Michael Kesselring, who joined the Buffalo Sabres as part of the JJ Peterka trade. The addition of Radim Mrtka gives the Sabres another top-end defenseman and not much room for Byram.
This seems like a pretty obvious deal to get done for the LA Kings as they need help on the left side of their defense, especially if Gavrikov doesn't return. They still have Drew Doughty but he is getting older and they could be looking for a long-term replacement.
Byram is the type of player who can fill the void left by Gavrikov and be the heir apparent to Doughty on that top line in the future. It wouldn't be surprising if Byram is traded sooner rather than later, and the Kings can't wait if this is a player they want.