Mock Trade: Sabres Send Byram To Canucks For Boeser

Both Bowen Byram and Brock Boeser's names have been appearing in trade rumors and there is a decent possibility that both are playing for different teams by the time the 2025-26 season rolls around. To help address each other's needs, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks can make a swap.

If the Canucks, who currently hold the last wildcard spot in the West, realize that they aren't going to be able to re-sign Boeser and want assets back in return, he could be on the move in the next two weeks. While this might be to a contender, it could also be to a team trying to add that one piece to get them over the edge if a Boeser acquisition comes with a contract extension.

The Sabres have a really young team and need more experience. The team also has a good amount of cap space in order to potentially give a little extra to Boeser in a contract extension. The defensive unit is especially young and inexperienced, including Byram, so moving him back would not only address the necessary price to acquire Boeser with a contract extension, but also give the Canucks what they need the most.

Other than Quinn Hughes and now Marcus Pettersson, the Canucks' defense needs lots of improvement. Byram would get a good opportunity there and not be surrounded by so many other young defensemen vying for the same opportunities. Byram needs a new contract after the season, but it is different because he is only a RFA.

With the Sabres already having locked up Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson, a fourth young defenseman for another big payday wouldn't make a ton of sense, especially with some more talent needed up front.

There are options for both teams that also include both keeping their players or sending them elsewhere. Buffalo and Vancouver will be interesting teams to watch over the next short while as they have the power to really shake things up with moves involving these two players.