The Buffalo Sabres have certainly stirred the pot in the trade market as we approach the 2026 NHL Draft. In a bold move, they sent Bowen Byram packing to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the fourth-overall pick.
But the Sabres weren’t done yet; they had a defensive gap to fill and found their man in Olen Zellweger, courtesy of a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. So, how did both teams fare with this shuffle?
Let's break it down: The Sabres parted ways with young center Anton Wahlberg and the 45th overall pick to snag Zellweger. Wahlberg, a second-round selection back in 2023, has yet to make his NHL debut, making him a bit of an unknown quantity. That 45th pick, originally from the Byram deal with Chicago, went to the Ducks, who used it to draft Jayden Kurtz, a promising University of Wisconsin commit.
Now, the burning question: Did the Sabres overpay to bolster their defense, or did the Ducks let go of a potential star too easily? Time to dive into the trade grades.
The Ducks, who finally snapped a seven-year playoff drought this season by ousting the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, seem to have taken a step back. Zellweger’s departure is just the latest in a series of exits, including John Carlson and Mason McTavish.
With Troy Terry sidelined for months due to injury, Anaheim's roster has some glaring holes. While the trade was solid in terms of value, it leaves Anaheim with a few headaches to address.
Zellweger suited up for 76 regular-season games with the Ducks but saw limited action in the playoffs, appearing in just three games. This move, along with his reduced postseason role, suggests that coach Joel Quenneville is making his mark on Anaheim’s roster decisions. Quenneville, in his first year with the Ducks, led them to the playoffs and is now influencing the team’s future.
Anaheim earns a B+ for this trade. They received some promising assets, but with Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba heading into free agency, the Ducks' defense is looking a bit thin. This trade needs to be the first of several moves to shore up their blue line or it risks derailing a promising squad.
On the other side of the coin, the Sabres are riding high after winning the Atlantic Division and breaking a 15-year playoff drought, even if they fell to the Montreal Canadiens in the second round. Buffalo believes they’re on the brink of a Stanley Cup run.
Trading Byram for a prime draft pick, which they used on Daxon Rudolph, was a move for the future. But Zellweger is all about the here and now.
In picking up Zellweger, the Sabres seem to be acknowledging some uncertainty about why Byram didn’t click in Buffalo. They already boast a roster full of offensive-minded defensemen, with Rasmus Dahlin as a Norris Trophy finalist and Owen Power quarterbacking the second power play. So, where does Zellweger fit in this puzzle?
A more physical presence like Adam Pelech from the New York Islanders might have been an ideal fit for Buffalo. However, if the Islanders weren’t willing to part with Pelech, the Sabres had to adapt.
Zellweger might not be the perfect match, but if he was the best available option, the trade makes sense. His upcoming restricted free agency means the Sabres will need to negotiate a new contract, but if they can keep his salary in check, this could be a savvy move.
The Sabres earn a B for this trade. While it might not propel them forward immediately, Zellweger’s contribution, especially if he racks up points, could tip the scales in Buffalo’s favor.
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