The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75-million extension, the team announced.
Byram's new contract - which kicks in next summer - will carry a cap hit of $12.5 million, the highest for a defenseman by average annual salary.
Byram was acquired by the Blackhawks last week in a trade that sent the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft to the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph with that selection.
Byram posted 11 goals and 31 assists last season for a career-high 42 points. He also averaged 22:20 minutes of ice time and recorded a plus-15 rating. Byram notched seven points in 13 playoff contests before the Sabres were eliminated in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens.
The 25-year-old has averaged 38 points per 82 games during his six-year NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche and Sabres. He entered the league as the fourth overall pick in 2019.
