Social Media Reacts To Sabres Trading Byram, Greenway To Blackhawks For No. 4 Pick And More
The Chicago Blackhawks did something NHL teams rarely do: knowingly trade a top-five draft pick.
They sent the fourth and 45th overall picks in this week's draft and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Bowen Byram and left winger Jordan Greenway on Tuesday.
Users on social media platform X had a lot to say about it. Much of the reaction, but not all, leaned toward Buffalo winning this deal.
BREAKING NEWS: Blackhawks Trade 4th & 45th Overall Pick, Louis Crevier To Sabres For Bowen Byram
The Chicago Blackhawks have completed a trade with the Buffalo Sabres, acquiring Bowen Byram.
Added Sports 1440 radio host Jason Gregor: "I'm always intrigued how people assume the No. 4 pick this year will be so much better than Byram. I bet he thrives in Chicago. Run the PP. Will move the puck up to (Connor) Bedard and other skilled forwards."
Greenway, 29, had one goal, six points and 57 hits in 40 games this season. He has one year left on his contract with a $4-million cap hit and is UFA-eligible. In the past three years with the Sabres, he played more than 40 games in a season only once, in 2023-24, when he had 10 goals and 28 points in 67 games.
Both players can sign contract extensions as early as July 1.
"Chicago better KNOW they can extend Byram this summer," posted @ProducerDrew_. "He can currently just walk as a UFA after next season."
Busy Buffalo
The Sabres, meanwhile, received 6-foot-8 defenseman Crevier, who had seven goals and 25 points in 78 games.
The 25-year-old also had 124 hits, 95 blocked shots, the most shots of at least 100 mph (six) and the fourth-hardest shot in the NHL this season (102.83 mph).
"I hate trading Louis Crevier," wrote @BlackhawksFocus. "I would have traded a lot of other players before I moved him."
BREAKING - Bowen Byram, Jordan Greenway Dealt To Blackhawks For Fourth Overall Pick
Buffalo now has two first-round picks, one in the top five and the 20th overall selection acquired from San Jose
They also now have the fourth overall pick to go along with their 20th overall pick in Friday's NHL draft.
Most of the top tier of defensemen should be available at fourth overall. D-men ranked between third and eighth in The Hockey News' Draft Preview issue are Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph and Alberts Smits.
A center may be available as well, such as Caleb Malhotra, Tynan Lawrence or Viggo Bjorck.
Making the selection is not the only option, however.
"They're trading the pick," posted @dleary74.
"Is that 4th overall pick acquired from Chicago the final bargaining chip Buffalo needs to close a deal with (the Winnipeg Jets) for Connor Hellebuyck? Asking for a friend," wrote 680 CJOB Winnipeg sports director Kelly Moore.
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This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 12:06 AM.