Major Update Drops on Vancouver Canucks' Top Defense Target as Trade Talks Intensify

The Vancouver Canucks' defensive group looks pretty much set for the start of the 2025-26 season and the team has plenty of depth in case injuries pop up throughout the year.

Despite that, the Vancouver Canucks have been linked to Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres, with Colorado Avalanche reporter Adrian Dater saying that the blueliner wants to play in his home province of British Columbia.

During the final episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast for the 2024-25 season, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman gave a bit of an update on Bowen Byram's situation with the Buffalo Sabres.

Over the weekend, Bowen Byram decided not to file for arbitration, which kept the possibility of an offer sheet open, albeit for 24 hours as the Buffalo Sabres elected arbitration with the blueliner, with a hearing set to be held either later this month or in early August.

According to Elliotte Friedman, despite reports out there suggesting Bowen Byram might want out of Buffalo, he hasn't formally requested a trade and his name being on the market has to do with how much he could earn on his next contract.

The Buffalo Sabres have have made it known to teams around the NHL that they are open to trading the 24-year-old, however they don't want future assets in return (prospects/draft picks), they want pieces that can help them right now.

The Cranbrook, British Columbia native is coming off a career-high 38 points (seven goals, 37 assists) in 82 games this past season with the Buffalo Sabres and would certainly be a solid addition to the Vancouver Canucks' roster.

If Patrik Allvin wants to bring in Bowen Byram however, they'll need to do two things, hopefully in the same deal - A) move out money and B) trade a defenseman to create a spot on the NHL roster for him.

It certainly won't be easy to get a Bowen Byram trade done, especially with what the Buffalo Sabres want in return, so it's going to be interesting to see if Patrik Allvin can out together a package that'll be of interest to Kevyn Adams.