NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Bowen Byram And Matthew Knies; Update On The Canucks
Coming off their first playoff run in almost 15 years, the biggest concern involving the Buffalo Sabres was whether they'd re-sign right winger Alex Tuch, who is slated to become a UFA on July 1.
While Tuch's status remains to be determined, he's not the only Sabre whose future in Buffalo is in question. On Thursday. TSN's Darren Dreger reported Bowen Byram has drawn interest from "multiple teams."
Byram, 25, was frequently mentioned in trade speculation last summer before signing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $6.25 million. He went on to tally a career-high 42 points in 82 games, along with seven points in 13 post-season contests.
Bowen Byram Trade Rumors Re-Emerge As He Enters Final Year Of Bridge Deal
25-year-old blueliner posted a career-high XX points and is eligible for a contract extension on July 1.
In Vancouver, meanwhile, Patrick Johnston of The Provincereported the rebuilding Canucks are shopping "virtually everyone" this off-season. The notables could include center Elias Pettersson and wingers Brock Boeser, Jake DeBrusk and Nils Hoglander.
Pettersson seems the least likely to be traded. His production has declined; there are concerns about his work ethic; his $11.6-million cap hit through 2031-32 is difficult to move; and his full no-movement clause gives him full control over his situation.
Johnston indicated the Canucks aren't actively shopping Boeser, but he's believed to be available. Hoglander is considered a player who could benefit from a change of scenery.
DeBrusk seems the most likely to move. He's not keen about being part of a rebuild at this stage of his career, so he's likely open to waiving his no-movement clause for the right team. He's signed through 2030-31 with an affordable average annual value of $5.5 million.
Three Canucks Stars Named In Recent Batch Of Trade Rumours
Canucks forwards Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Jake DeBrusk have all been named in recent trade rumours.
Turning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Matthew Knies trade rumors haven't gone away despite their recent management change.
According to Dreger, "a number of NHL executives" believe Knies could be traded this summer. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos noted the 23-year-old power forward has been linked to the Montreal Canadiens, but other clubs are also making inquiries.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun believes the Knies rumors don't make any sense for the Maple Leafs. He pointed out that he's a promising young power forward with a team-friendly contract who is more valuable to the Leafs as a player than as a trade chip.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Copyright The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 9:28 AM.