NHL Rumor Roundup: Will The Sabres Trade Byram? Plus Latest Canucks, Senators Chatter
Contract negotiations with Alex Tuch and Zach Benson are priorities for Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
Tuch, 30, is eligible to become a UFA on July 1, while the 21-year-old Benson is an RFA completing his entry-level contract.
At some point, Kekalainen must open contract extension talks with Bowen Byram. The 24-year-old left-shot defenseman has completed the first season of his two-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.25 million.
Sabres Star Defenseman Named As Off-Season Trade Candidate
Could the Sabres look to move on from Bowen Byram this off-season?
Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Canucks recently promoted Ryan Johnson to GM. Once he names a new coach, he's expected to continue rebuilding the roster.
Ben Kuzma of The Province believes Johnson should draw lessons on how the Montreal Canadiens staged a rapid rebuild from a bottom feeder four years ago into one of this season's top-10 teams.
One of those lessons is identifying roster players with trade value who could fetch assets to accelerate the rebuilding process. Kuzma suggested left winger Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Filip Hronek as two candidates for the Canucks.
DeBrusk, 29, has indicated his reluctance to be part of a rebuilding team at this stage of his career. He reached the 20-goal plateau for the fifth time in his nine-season NHL career and the 40-point mark for the seventh time. He also carries an affordable $5.5-million cap hit for the next five years.
Hronek, 28, is a big-minute, mobile defenseman who finished with a career-high 49 points this season. He has six years left on his contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million and a full no-movement clause, but he could bring in a significant return if he agrees to be traded.
Reports Indicate The Canucks May Have Found Their Next Head Coach
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that Vancouver is believed to be in negotiations with Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra.
Turning to the Ottawa Senators, finding a suitable backup for starting goaltender Linus Ullmark remains a priority.
A Postmedia report suggested pending UFAs, such as Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes and Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers, as potential options.
Ingram could be the best available choice. Skinner will likely sign with a club that will give him a starter's job, while Andersen's solid play in this post-season could keep him in Carolina for at least another season.
The report also mentioned Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild. He's not a UFA, and their asking price via trade will likely be more than the Senators can afford.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 10:50 AM.