The Buffalo Sabres have emerged as leading contenders to land Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson in a trade partnership nobody saw coming. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, reporting the news during Sportsnet's "Saturday Headlines" segment,

As of late last week the Vancouver Canucks haven’t really been impressed with the trade offers they been receiving for forward J.T. Miller, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if there is more Elias Pettersson trade speculation.

The dust is still settling around the NHL following a massive blockbuster deal between the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

With less than 40 days to go until the NHL trade deadline, the expectation is that talks will begin heating up in the coming weeks and the Vancouver Canucks will likely be in the thick of things.

Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks could make a blockbuster trade including Dylan Cozens and Elias Pettersson, according to insider reports

The Carolina Hurricanes pivoted from two different Vancouver Canucks trades ahead of Friday's blockbuster and instead acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.

If rumors are true and the Vancouver Canucks are interested in trading star Elias Pettersson, Adam Proteau says the Buffalo Sabres' reported pursuit of the Canucks center is a good idea.