Canucks Exploring Trade for Young Sabres Defenseman, per David Pagnotta
Photo credit: HTR
NHL insider David Pagnotta has recently revealed that the Vancouver Canucks are actively exploring the trade market for one of the Sabres young D-men.
A would-be blockbuster-type deal doled out in a proposed fashion between the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks shook the very core on Monday.
Elliotte Friedman looked to take some steam off the hysterical wheel of his rumour on the latest episode of his "32 Thoughts" podcast but did confirm an earlier report from TFP that the Sabres and Canucks have indeed spoken about a trade.
Adding fuel to the speculation, TFP's David Pagnotta reported the Canucks appear to have expressed interest in Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, who is in the last year of his current contract.
«(Friedman) acknowledged something we reported yesterday as well that Vancouver and Buffalo have had trade talks and that they seem to be centered around Vancouver's interest in Bowen Byron. That seems to be genuine,» Pagnotta said. «Now, whether this evolves into this big blockbuster type deal, obviously we will have to wait and see and maybe (Friedman) is onto something because Buffalo had expressed interest in Petey last season before he signed his extension. But we do know that Vancouver is active right now trying to get a top-four defenseman. Byram is a guy that would certainly fit that role.»
- David Pagnotta
- David Pagnotta
As David Pagnotta himself pointed out on Tuesday's "The Latest" on TFP, Vancouver's discussions with Buffalo could be about the Canucks looking to add a top-four defenseman this year as they remain sans the services of injured Filip Hronek.
«For a team like Buffalo, the vultures are going to come flying in and try to pluck away some pieces here in hopes that you're desperate to do something,» Pagnotta stated. «We'll see how that conversation continues, but we do know Vancouver, without question, wants to bolster their top-four. Even with Hronek back in the lineup, they still want to stabilize that back end at some point this season.»
Not surprisingly, Pagnotta was more cautious, noting that other teams have inquired about the Sabres' roster, too. Aside from Bowen Byram, names being shopped include forwards Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, and J.J. Peterka.
The Canucks are holding the first wild-card position in the Western Conference, a single point behind the Edmonton Oilers for third in the Pacific. A future move could help solidify their position in the standings.
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