Sabres replace Bowen Byram with Ducks defenseman in trade

The Buffalo Sabres were a part of one of the more stunning trades of this NHL offseason. Now, just days after Bowen Byram went to the Chicago Blackhawks, they have added a defenseman. The Sabres have traded for Anaheim Ducks defender Olen Zellweger, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman.

“Olen Zellweger is being traded to Buffalo for Anton Wahlberg and the 45th pick,” Friedman reported.

Zellweger was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Ducks. He played 164 games in Anaheim over the past three seasons, setting career highs in all stats in 2025-26. He played 76 games, scoring five goals and 22 points. Zellweger also got his first playoff experience, scoring two points in three games.

The Ducks had an overload of left-handed defensemen, so much so that Pavel Mintyukov was not getting playing time and was nearly traded. This trade clears that up, as Wahlberg is a 20-year-old forward who should be able to play bottom-six minutes in Anaheim soon.

The Sabres, however, have created a logjam of left-handed defensmen. With Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power ahead of him, Zellweger won’t get much time on the powerplay. Without much physicality in his game, offense is how Zellweger will make a difference. He will find himself in a similar situation to Byram because of the depth on the blueline in Buffalo.

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has not sat on his hands since taking over the role. He ushered them into the playoffs, but did not rest after breaking the eternal playoff drought. What else could go down in Buffalo on Friday?