Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill rules out defenseman Bowen Byram from playing Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres because of a family matter.
The game marks Byram’s homecoming as he is set to face his former team for the first time since the Sabres traded him to Chicago in a multi-player deal in June. Several outlets report the team is keeping his status tied to the family reason rather than injury, and therefore he is not available for the matchup.
Winnipeg Free Press and Yahoo Sports both focus on Byram’s absence from the return game, with Yahoo describing the decision as a coaching call ahead of the contest. Yahoo Sports also notes the context of the June trade and that the matchup is Byram’s first against the Sabres since joining the Blackhawks.
