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, the Sabres are a serious contender to get Pettersson.

Pettersson is the pie-in-the-sky acquisition. The Canucks, one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season, have a fractured locker room due to a schism between Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that a deal was close involving Miller but ultimately wasn’t finalized.

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

Last night, we likely witnessed the biggest transaction of the 21st century in the National Hockey League, at least certainly since the Matthew Tkachuk/Jonathan Huberdeau trade. Indeed, to see one of the best players in the NHL,

The Islanders are interested in two members of the Canucks. We reported a few weeks ago that the New York Islanders had inquired about Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson. Per industry sources, the Islanders still have tremendous interest in Pettersson.

But with discussions for Miller not seemingly going well, it appears that teams are still calling about Pettersson.

When Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, it surprised many, including myself. We knew that the Colorado Avalanche and Rantanen were having difficulty finding common ground for a contract extension.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Buffalo Sabres have emerged as trade contenders to acquire Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson.