NHL Insider Clarifies Trade Talk Between Canucks and Sabres

With the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks looking to change directions of their teams, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, during his 32 Thoughts Podcast on Monday, caused quite a stir in both markets. The trade speculation nugget he dropped caught so much attention he needed to clarify the talk on the Donnie and Dhali Show.

---

---

He was just thinking out loud, but after hearing Rick Tocchet’s comments about the Canucks’ performance this week and Lindy Ruff’s remarks on the Sabres’ play on Sunday, Friedman got to wondering if these two teams might consider a blockbuster trade involving Elias Pettersson, Dylan Cozens, and Bowen Byram.

“I had some time on Sunday to think and I was thinking about the Sabres and I was thinking about Rick Tocchet and what he had to say on Saturday and reiterated on Sunday. I want to stress this is purely in my head, who says no? [Dylan] Cozens and Bowen Byram for Pettersson.”

However, that comment got people talking, mainly in Vancouver, where the conversation turned to Pettersson possibly being on the trade block. Later on Monday, Friedman joined Donnie and Dhali The Team and was asked by Rick Dhaliwal about the proposed trade and if there was any merit to it. While Friedman did not think that trade was discussed, he did say the Canucks and Sabres definitely spoke.

Friedman Had to Reiterrate That It’s All Just Trade Talk

Friedman likely knows when he throws an idea out there, fans may run with it. He used the time to clear the air a little. He explained:

“That was spitballing, you know? Like, I think this look like, do I think the Canucks have talked to Buffalo? Yeah, I do. Do I think the Sabres have talked to the Canucks? Yes, I do. Do I think that that’s the exact combination that they’ve talked about? No, I don’t know that. But, I mean, look like I think the two teams have talked to each other.”

Friedman added, “I think the Sabres have players that Canucks like. I mean, you’ve talked about their interest that they like Bowen Byram is the kind of guy that they would like, Rick, and I think that, like, I think the Canucks have players the Sabres like.”

It would be a tough trade to pull off, but Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Rutherford doesn’t seem to like their current mix. Something just isn’t clicking. Meanwhile, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and owner Terry Pegula believe the answers are in their own locker room. However, when you look at these two teams, you start to wonder: where is the fit?

Friedman Just Put the Canucks and Sabres Puzzle Pieces Together

Friedman hinted that there are just too many obvious signs that these teams could be a match. He’s not saying a trade is happening or that anything is remotely close. But he believes they’ve talked to each other.

“I do think that the two teams have talked. I do think they’ve talked about players, like, to me, that’s just me putting an idea together. But I can’t say that’s something that’s been on the table for both those sides,” Friedman said.

“But I can say this, I can see Vancouver being interested in those players, and I can see Buffalo being interested in Pettersson. Like, if all those players would be available, there would be, like, again, like, with Dylan Cozens, there’d be a lineup of teams who want those guys.”

The Sabres and Canucks have wanted players. Does something happen before the trade freeze? Probably not. But Friedman does not mention names without something behind them. This is a story worth watching.

Next: Buffalo Sabres Have To Make Bold Trade To Improve Roster