The Buffalo Sabres have made a significant move ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft by acquiring defenseman Louis Crevier and two draft picks from the Chicago Blackhawks. The trade, announced on Tuesday, sees the Sabres send defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to Chicago in exchange for the 4th and 45th overall picks in the upcoming draft.

Details of the Trade

With this trade, the Sabres now possess two first-round selections in the draft, which will take place at KeyBank Center. Their current draft picks include the 4th overall, 20th overall, 45th overall, as well as picks in the 4th, 5th, and 6th rounds. This acquisition positions the Sabres to make impactful choices as they look to strengthen their roster.

About Louis Crevier

Louis Crevier, who stands at 6-foot-8, is known for his impressive shot power, ranking in the NHL's 99th percentile for hardest shot at 102.83 mph. In the 2025-26 season, he recorded 25 points with 7 goals and 18 assists over 78 games, averaging 17:08 of ice time. Crevier also contributed defensively, finishing with 124 hits and 95 blocked shots, both of which were second on the Blackhawks. Drafted in the seventh round in 2020, he is under contract through the 2026-27 season with a cap hit of $900,000 and will become a restricted free agent next summer.

By trading Byram and Greenway, the Sabres free up approximately $9.35 million in cap space as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. General manager Jarmo Kekäläinen is expected to provide further insights on this trade and the team's offseason strategy during a media address on Wednesday. Fans can stay updated by visiting Sabres.com for the latest news and reactions.