Byram says he's ready for his new opportunity as the No. 1 defenseman for the Blackhawks

CHICAGO (AP) — Bowen Byram got the opportunity he wanted in a place he wanted to go. He thinks he's ready.So do the Chicago Blackhawks — and they paid a hefty price because of that belief.

Byram is stepping in as Chicago's No. 1 defenseman after he was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks sent the No.

4 and No. 45 selections in the NHL draft and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Sabres for Byram and physical forward Jordan Greenway.“To be honest, I feel like I’ve just been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time,” Byram said Wednesday.

Byram, who just turned 25 on June 13, had 11 goals and a career-high 42 points for Buffalo last season. He was part of a strong group of defensemen who helped the Sabres to the Atlantic Division title and the franchise's first playoff appearance since the 2010-11 season.But Byram has never been the top defenseman on his NHL team.

He played with Cale Makar in Colorado at the beginning of his career and Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo. He also is eligible for free agency after this season, putting him in line for a lucrative extension before he suits up for his first game with Chicago.“I think at the end of the day, I can’t get too carried away with anything,” Byram said.

“I’ve just got to come in and prove what I can do. I know that I’m confident in myself. You know I feel that, after this move, the Blackhawks are confident in me, so it’s a great feeling to have a team believing in you.”

Then there is the cost of the trade. While the top forward prospects likely will be gone by the No. 4 pick on Friday night, Chicago could have used the selection on one of the top defensemen — albeit one that probably wouldn't have been able to help the team for a while.

Crevier, 25, also made major strides last season, finishing with seven goals and 18 assists in 78 games.The Blackhawks haven't made a postseason appearance since the NHL used an expanded playoff format after the 2020 season was affected by the