BLOCKBUSTER DEAL THAT NEVER HAPPENED: Vancouver Canucks’ Near-Trade of Elias Pettersson to Buffalo Sabres Revealed—What Went Wrong?
A trade that could’ve shaken up the NHL landscape—and changed the future of two franchises—has come to light, and Canucks fans are breathing a sigh of relief. According to recent revelations, the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres nearly pulled off a blockbuster swap involving star forward Elias Pettersson. But the deal fell through, and now, with the dust settling, hockey insiders are starting to piece together what went wrong behind the scenes.
At the center of this potential deal was a rising blue-line star—Buffalo’s Bowen Byram. From the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, murmurs had been growing louder linking the Canucks and Sabres. Many speculated that Vancouver, eyeing a top-tier defenseman to shore up their back end, had its sights set on the 24-year-old Byram.
Those whispers only intensified with a recent update from NHL insider David Pagnotta, who confirmed that the Canucks had “missed their shot” to acquire Byram during a window where the team could’ve made a defining move for its defensive core.
“So, with the Canucks, I think it was real more so in the season than it was this past June,” Pagnotta said in a statement that sent shockwaves across Canucks Twitter. “But honestly, for me, it would probably be something coming out of left field once all is said and done if something does happen with the Canucks.”
While Canucks management appeared to have backed away from the pursuit of Byram this summer, the Sabres ultimately made their move to lock him in. Buffalo avoided arbitration and inked the defenseman to a two-year, $12.5 million deal—essentially closing the door on further trade speculation involving Byram.
But what came next shocked many.
Pagnotta didn’t stop with the update on Byram’s contract. He followed it up with a bombshell: the Sabres had reportedly reached out to Vancouver to reopen trade talks and inquired specifically about the availability of Elias Pettersson. The Canucks’ talented center, long viewed as a franchise cornerstone, was apparently at the heart of a proposed deal that would have brought Byram to Vancouver.
According to Pagnotta, the discussions may not have been formalized into a full proposal, but Buffalo seemed serious about revisiting the idea: “I don’t know this definitively, trying to read the tea leaves, between the lines, and all that stuff, it sounded like Buffalo re-engaged to say, ‘hey, what would Petey 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.”
At that point, it appears that trade discussions hit a dead end—likely due to the Canucks’ high demands or the complexity of matching value on both sides. While Vancouver seemed interested in Byram, Buffalo’s renewed interest in Pettersson may have pushed things beyond what either side was willing to commit to.
This revelation puts a whole new lens on the Canucks’ offseason strategy.
With speculation mounting earlier this year about Elias Pettersson’s future, this report validates that teams around the league have kept a close eye on his situation. And for good reason: Pettersson is a top-tier talent, capable of being a game-changer for any team in the league.
However, despite the near miss, Canucks fans can rest easy knowing that the Swedish center appears more locked in than ever. General Manager Patrik Allvin recently shared positive updates about Pettersson’s offseason form, noting that the player is training at an elite level and is fully committed to returning stronger next season. Allvin’s comments offer reassurance that despite any noise around trade discussions, Pettersson’s focus remains with Vancouver.
As for Buffalo, their decision to secure Byram long-term sends a message: they’re investing in a core of young defensemen and aiming to build around players like Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. While the idea of adding Pettersson was clearly enticing, the Sabres ultimately prioritized defensive stability and cost certainty.
For Vancouver, this failed blockbuster also shines a spotlight on a bigger issue—how close the front office might have been to dealing away one of the faces of the franchise. While trades are part of the business, the potential move raises questions about the long-term vision in Vancouver’s front office.
Was this a case of testing the market? Or were the Canucks genuinely prepared to move on from Pettersson for the right package?
No one knows for sure, but what’s clear now is that such a move would have sent shockwaves across the league—and it would’ve sparked massive reactions from both fanbases.
Had the deal gone through, it would have marked one of the most significant trades in recent memory. Pettersson, with his elite playmaking and offensive instincts, would’ve instantly transformed Buffalo’s top six. Meanwhile, Byram’s arrival in Vancouver would’ve signaled a shift in priorities—a focus on blue-line toughness and youth at the expense of scoring firepower.
Instead, both players remain where they are—for now.
In a league where even the best-laid trade talks can fall apart due to timing, contracts, or differing philosophies, this story serves as a reminder of how quickly things can change. The Canucks and Sabres came close to reshaping their rosters in dramatic fashion. But in the end, no deal was made.
Now, with the 2025 season looming, all eyes will be on Elias Pettersson as he returns to the ice with a point to prove. Whether this failed trade fuels him or fades into the background remains to be seen. One thing’s certain, though: Vancouver fans won’t forget just how close they came to losing their superstar.
