Buffalo Sabres Acquire Olen Zellweger in Trade with Anaheim Ducks

The Buffalo Sabres have traded for Olen Zellweger, a 22-year-old defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for a 2nd-round pick.

What happened?

The trade occurred after the Sabres finished the season with a 50-23 record, standing 2nd in the Eastern Conference, and lost their last game 2-3 to the Montreal Canadiens on May 18, 2026.

The Sabres also recently traded defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Louis Crevier and draft picks.

Why it matters for Buffalo Sabres

Zellweger had an NHL career-high 22 points in 76 regular-season games for the Ducks this season and two points in three Stanley Cup Playoff games.

He can become a restricted free agent on July 1, giving the Sabres a chance to negotiate a new contract.

What comes next?

The Sabres also traded forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals for forward David Kampf and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, showing their commitment to rebuilding their roster.

With the addition of Zellweger, the Sabres' defense looks stronger, and they may be able to make a deeper playoff run next season.

The Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, have also been active, with players like Wahlberg contributing to the team's success.