Bowen Byram has reportedly picked his new team

Pending restricted free agent Bowen Byram has generated a lot of buzz on the trade market in recent weeks with teams across the NHL reportedly checking in with Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams on a potential trade.

The 24 year old Byram's two year contract ($3.85 million AAV) expires at the end of this month and there are reports that he's not interested in re-upping with the Sabres. Because, of course, well... why would he?

The Sabres have been hot garbage for years now and Byram's usage is blocked by former #1 overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. It sounds like Byram is hoping to move on to another team and take his game to the next level. And, interestingly enough, it also sounds like Byram has a preferred destination: His hometown of Vancouver.

Now, technically Byram's hometown is Cranbrook, BC and he played his minor hockey in Lethbridge, AB but Byram was a star with the WHL's Vancouver Giants and insider Adrian Dater reports that Byram "wants to be a Canuck."

Byram has long been linked to the Canucks, but the Canucks themselves have a pretty crowded blue line.

Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Marcus Pettersson and Tyler Myers all hold down regular spots on Vancouver's defence corps, with the likes of Derek Forbort, Elias Petterson (2.0), Victor Mancini and Noah Juulsen (Pending UFA) rotating in and out of the lineup. Now, of course the Canucks could make room via trade for Byram, but I suspect that GM Patrik Allvin wants to see the continued development of both E. Pettersson and Mancini this upcoming season.

So... where would Byram fit in?

I could see him and M. Pettersson making a very fine second pairing. This would enable new head coach Adam Foote to move Myers down to the third pairing and limit his minutes a bit.

Next question: Who do the Canucks have available to trade for Byram?

E. Pettersson could be an option actually, but the Canucks seem to be obsessed with collecting every NHL player named 'Pettersson' these days. Jonathan Lekkerimaki could be another option, as could 2023 11th overall pick Tom Willander.

Thoughts, Sabres fans? Thoughts, Canucks fans?

Is there room for a deal here?