Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks could make a blockbuster trade including Dylan Cozens and Elias Pettersson, according to insider reports

With less than 40 days to go until the NHL trade deadline, the expectation is that talks will begin heating up in the coming weeks and the Vancouver Canucks will likely be in the thick of things.

Kulich’s final faceoff of the night came with 18 seconds remaining and the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead in a game they desperately needed. His opponent, J.T. Miller, entered the night with a 58.7-percent success rate in the circle. Kulich won the draw and, seconds later, cleared the puck out of the defensive zone.

Vancouver surrendered twof third-period goals by JJ Peterka and a poor Buffalo team playing in the second leg of a back-to-back.

As of late last week the Vancouver Canucks haven’t really been impressed with the trade offers they been receiving for forward J.T. Miller, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if there is more Elias Pettersson trade speculation.

The Vancouver Canucks have been working the phones and it appears a new favourite has emerged in a potential Elias Pettersson trade.

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

JJ Peterka had a goal and assist in the third period, and Rasmus Dahlin had two assists for the Sabres (18-24-5), who were coming off a 6-4 loss at the Seattle Kraken on Monday and won for the second time in five games.

One Elias Pettersson is at the center of the Vancouver Canucks' trade drama. The other is a feel-good story and an addition to the NHL's history of players with the same names.

The club is last in the Eastern Conference with an 18-26-5 record and, barring an unprecedented run, the playoff drought that’s chased off season-ticket holders will reach 14 years.

In a report published Sunday at The Fourth Period, Seravalli revealed that the Sabres "continue to scour the trade market" trying to retool their roster. "Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has been active making and taking calls on a number of his players, with centre Dylan Cozens at the forefront of discussions," Seravalli wrote.