The Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres discussed a potential blockbuster deal earlier this summer involving Elias Pettersson and Bowen Byram as the two main pieces.
Insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period shed light on the potential trade during a July 8 appearance on the Simply Spiked Podcast. During his appearance, Pagnotta dropped a bombshell in which he revealed that the Buffalo Sabres had engaged the Canucks in a trade that would have sent Elias Pettersson to Upstate New York.
Meanwhile, the Canucks’ asking price for Pettersson began with current defenseman Bowen Byram. Byram’s name had been on the block for quite some time, with various teams linked to the 24-year-old blue liner.
Pagnotta had this to say about the potential blockbuster:
“I don’t know this definitively, trying to read the tea leaves, between the lines, and all that that stuff, it sounded like Buffalo re-engaged to say, ‘hey, what would Petey (Pettersson) cost? Has the price changed?’ And that’s kind of where that name, Byram’s name, re-entered the mix. But it obviously didn’t get anywhere.”
Pagnotta’s comments point toward the deal’s two main pieces being Pettersson and Byram. However, it’s more than likely that the deal would have included additional components. As per Pagnotta, it’s unknown what those additional pieces could have been.
Canucks Would Struggle to Trade Pettersson Now
The Vancouver Canucks would struggle to trade Elias Pettersson now as his full no-trade clause kicked in on July 1. As such, the Canucks cannot move the Swedish center without his approval.
The question would be: Would Pettersson be willing to move his no-trade clause to head to Buffalo?
While it’s impossible to read Pettersson’s mind, the likelihood of Pettersson approving a deal to Buffalo would be slim. There wouldn’t be any specific reason why Pettersson would be wanting to go to Buffalo.
As for Byram, he’s from the Vancouver area. So, a trade to Vancouver would hardly be a problem for him. It’s safe to assume Byram would be willing to head over to the West Coast if such a deal materialized.
Byram Unlikely to Be on the Move Now
Bowen Byram is unlikely to be on the move now to the Canucks or any other team. Byram and the Sabres agreed to terms on Monday. The blue liner signed a two-year $12.5 million contract. The bridge deal avoided an arbitration hearing later this summer.
For Byram, the deal gives him two more seasons to prove himself before hitting UFA status. If he can prove he’s a legit top-pairing defenseman, he could command big money in the UFA market.
For the Sabres, it’s a double-edged sword. The team kicked the can down the road, potentially re-signing Byram for a big payday when the cap ceiling is much higher.
If Byram proves himself to be a true top-pairing blue liner, and if the Sabres can’t re-sign him, the return on a trade for Byram could be massive in two years.
So, Canucks fans should keep an eye on Byram. He may not be on the move for now. But that doesn’t mean he won’t ever be. There’s always a chance Bowen Byram trade talks resurface in about a year and a half.
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