Rick Tocchet’s Flyers reportedly looking to spoil Elias Pettersson’s Canucks plans with interest in coveted star

After a dramatic 2024–25 NHL season, Rick Tocchet stepped down as head coach of Elias Pettersson’s Vancouver Canucks. Now, as he prepares for his first season at the helm of the Philadelphia Flyers, his path may cross with Vancouver’s in an intense push for one of the Buffalo Sabres’ top assets.

The Canucks are gearing up for a crucial offseason in the NHL. Looking to turn the tide after last season’s disappointing results, Vancouver is set to make big changes to its lineup.

There remains to be much suspense surrounding the Canucks’ household names—like Pettersson and Quinn Hughes—and their futures. However, Vancouver is looking to strengthen its team rather than moving on from big pieces. On that note, the Canucks have been linked to blueliner Bowen Byram, who the Sabres might be willing to part ways with.

A former Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche, Byram has drawn interest from several teams across the NHL—and the Flyers are no exception. Tocchet and Philadelphia are reportedly knocking on Buffalo’s door. It would be quite the story if Tocchet managed to take Byram, a British Columbia native, out of Vancouver’s reach.

According to reports from The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the Flyers have asked Buffalo about defenseman Bowen Byram.

Not so easy

Byram, whose contract expires on July 1st, is not an easy catch for teams in the NHL. The 24-year-old defenseman will become a restricted free agent (RFA), meaning any team interested in signing him must first get in contact with the player’s original side.

Now, it remains to be seen whether the Flyers extend an offer sheet to Byram when the free agency period starts or if perhaps the two sides engage in a trade for the coveted defenseman.

Your move, Vancouver

Regardless, reports of Philadelphia making a move for Buffalo’s blueliner should serve as a wake-up call for Vancouver—if they’re serious about landing the exciting defenseman.

With uncertainty surrounding Quinn Hughes’ future, acquiring Byram could send the right message to their former seventh overall pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Plus, it seems like Byram’s desire to play in Vancity.