Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is reportedly burning up the phone lines in advance of the NHL Draft later this week and the beginning of free agency on July 1. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period [https://www.thefourthperiod.com/jun-2025/sabres-gm-active-on-the-phone-lines], Adams has been talking to several teams, looking to make trades to improve his club, with the names of restricted free agents Bowen Byram and JJ Peterka first and foremost on inquiring GM’s wish lists. Byram has been frequently mentioned in the rumor mill since the end of the season, as the 23-year-old is looking for a significant pay increase and a destination where he can play top-pairing minutes, both of which are unlikely with the Sabres already paying Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power hefty salaries on the blueline. Peterka was second on the Sabres in scoring with 68 points, and could be the target of an offer sheet, after youngsters Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg were snatched away from Edmonton by the St. Louis Blues was last summer. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/is-peterka-in-prime-position-for-big-payday] Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-summer-dilemmas-bowen-byram] Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-facing-an-off-season-of-change] Pagnotta indicates that the club interested in both players is the Vancouver Canucks, while the New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning are interested in Peterka. The Canucks have long been interested in Byram, a native of Cranbrook, BC, and were connected to the Sabres defenseman during the season when the chatter regarding the Sabres interest in Canucks center Elias Pettersson was at it’s peak. Pettersson slumped badly last season, dropping from 89 points to 45 (15 goals, 30 assists) in the first year of an eight-year, $92.8 million contract. The 26-year-old does not have trade protection until July 1, when a no-movement clause kicks in. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuQgD4Hg3X0], Vancouver was also interested in Sabres center Josh Norris before he was acquired from Ottawa for Dylan Cozens last March, which might factor into a potential Pettersson deal if the Canucks are open to moving him in the next 10 days. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]
