One of the most popular rumors that circulated prior to the NHL trade deadline involved the Buffalo Sabres interest in Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. That speculation evaporated after the trade that sent JT Miller to the NY Rangers in late January, but there may be some smoke to that fire according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
The 26-year-old center, who had the second-worst offensive season of his NHL career in the first year of an eight-year, $92.8 million deal with the Canucks, has a no-movement clause in his contract that kicks in on July 1. Buffalo is undeniably looking to shake their roster up after their 14th straight season outside of the playoffs, and has pieces that might interest Vancouver in a hockey deal.
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Pagnotta indicated that RFA defenseman Bowen Byram is likely to be moved by Buffalo, as he is slotted behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power on the left side of the Sabres blueline, and said that other names such as Power, wingers JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch have been mentioned as possible trade targets. The rumors regarding Buffalo and Pettersson involved Byram and Dylan Cozens, who was dealt to Ottawa at the deadline for center Josh Norris.
There has been consistent chatter that the Canucks would expect to get a top center in a deal for Pettersson, something that the Sabres may be unwilling or unable to provide, although Norris does not have any trade protection next season. Peterka is a restricted free agent who could be a target for an offer sheet this summer, Tuch is entering the final year of his contract and makes a very reasonable $4.75 million AAV in 2025-26, while Power also is entering year two of a seven-year, $58.45 million contract and does not have any trade protection as well.
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