Bowen Byram keeps getting linked to the Vancouver Canucks
If it feels like we’ve been talking about Bowen Byram possibly joining the Vancouver Canucks for forever, that’s because it has.
Well, at least since he was drafted six years ago.
Byram was one of the top prospects leading into the 2019 NHL Draft, which was held at Rogers Arena. The Canucks were a non-playoff team that year, meaning everyone had eyes on the top prospects.
Naturally, the smooth-skating defenceman from Cranbrook had people’s attention.
Byram was drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche that year, six spots ahead of the Canucks, who chose Vasily Podkolzin.
The 6-foot-1 blueliner played four seasons in Colorado, winning a Stanley Cup in 2022, before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres for Casey Mittelstadt ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.
It appears Byram could be on the move again, after hiring a new agent, Darren Ferris, in May, according to CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal. Dhaliwal, along with ESPN’s Kevin Weekes and others, has reported that Byram is on the trade block.
Per sources, Iām told @StanleyCup champ D Byram is generating plenty of interest in the market from multiple clubs exploring a potential trade with @BuffaloSabres for his services. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/KnyLgIZw9G
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 11, 2025
The 24-year-old is due a new contract as a restricted free agent, which may force Buffalo’s hand. The Sabres are also relatively deep on defence, with a pair of former first overall picks, Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Does Byram want to sign long-term in Buffalo?
What about Vancouver?
“I believe Byram wants to be a Canuck,” longtime Colorado hockey reporter Adrian Dater said today.
I believe Byram wants to be a Canuck https://t.co/wK2EO6bAWl
— Adrian Dater (@adater) June 16, 2025
It sounds like the feeling is mutual with Canucks management.
“This regime loves Bowen Byram,” Dhaliwal said on Donnie and Dhali earlier this month. “This regime has tried to get this guy since the day they arrived in Vancouver.”
The Canucks reportedly asked for Byram in a failed trade with Colorado involving J.T. Miller in 2023. Elliotte Friedman also brought up Byram’s name when spitballing on a potential Elias Pettersson trade last season.
Byram is coming off a 38-point (7-31-38) season, logging big minutes (22:42 per game) on Buffalo’s back end.
At first glance, Byram seems like an odd fit for Vancouver, a team that seems set on the back end but thin on forward.
And yet, his name keeps popping up.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if the Vancouver Canucks were one of the teams checking in on Byram,” Dhaliwal said on June 4. “I’ve been told a lot of Western Conference teams [are] in on Byram right now. I would not be surprised if the Canucks were one of them.”
“Checking in on Byram could be a part of a bigger deal for the Canucks.”
Byram plays the left side, where the Canucks already have Quinn Hughes and Marcus Pettersson in place.Ā So why prioritize that position? Are they looking for insurance in case Hughes leaves? Is the plan to just build the best blue line in the NHL and figure out the rest at a later date?
We should know more answers in the coming weeks, with the draft set for next week (June 27-28) and free agency kicking off shortly after (July 1). Everyone expects the Canucks to be busy.