The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon possibly found their replacement for Bowen Byram through a trade, acquiring left-shot defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward prospect Anton Wahlberg and the 45th overall pick in the NHL Draft.
The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Zellweger, 22, can become a restricted free agent Wednesday.
The speedy Zellweger compiled seven goals, 22 points, 34 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating with the Ducks last season, his second full NHL campaign.
Zellweger had 162 speed bursts between 20 to 22 mph last season, according to NHL Edge, the league’s fifth-highest total among defensemen. He had eight speed bursts of more than 22 mph last season, according to NHL Edge, the sixth-highest total among defensemen.
Overall, he has registered 16 goals, 51 points, 58 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating in 164 career NHL games.
The Ducks drafted him in the second round in 2021, 34th overall.
The Sabres acquired the 45th pick on Tuesday in the blockbuster deal that sent Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Wahlberg, 20, earned his first recall to Buffalo in February but did not play. The Swede registered nine goals and 38 points in 68 games for the Rochester Americans last season.
The Sabres drafted him in the second round in 2023, 39th overall.