Sabres acquire Olen Zellweger from Ducks in draft-day trade
The Buffalo Sabres acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks on June 26, 2026, sending prospect Anton Wahlberg and the 45th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft the other way. The swap gives Buffalo a puck-moving blueliner after trading Bowen Byram, while Anaheim adds draft capital and a young center.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston first reported the deal, and both teams officially announced it later on Friday. For more fast-moving market and sports alerts, follow our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage hub.
Key Takeaways
- Buffalo gets Olen Zellweger; Anaheim receives Anton Wahlberg and the No. 45 pick in the 2026 draft.
- Zellweger, 22, posted 22 points in 76 games last season and is a pending restricted free agent.
- The trade follows Buffalo sending Bowen Byram to Chicago, leaving a hole on the second power-play unit.
- Wahlberg, a 6-foot-4 center, scored 37 points in 68 AHL games with Rochester in 2025-26.
- Anaheim now holds seven picks in the 2026 draft, including two in the top 50.
What did the Sabres give up for Olen Zellweger?
Buffalo sent forward prospect Anton Wahlberg and its 2026 second-round selection, 45th overall, to Anaheim. Wahlberg was chosen 39th overall by the Sabres in 2023 and has not yet played an NHL game.
He spent the past two seasons with the AHL's Rochester Americans, recording nine goals and 37 points in 68 games in 2025-26. The 20-year-old also added three assists in three Calder Cup playoff games, per NHL.com.
Why does Olen Zellweger matter to Buffalo right now?
The Sabres moved Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this week, removing a key offensive defenseman who quarterbacked Buffalo's second power-play unit. Zellweger gives them a left-shot, puck-moving option behind captain Rasmus Dahlin.
Selected 34th overall by Anaheim in 2021, Zellweger has 16 goals and 51 points in 164 NHL games. He scored seven goals and 22 points in 76 games last season while averaging 16:59 of ice time, according to TSN.
He is a pending restricted free agent coming off his entry-level deal and does not have arbitration rights. Pro Hockey Rumors notes he could slot on Buffalo's third pairing alongside Louis Crevier, though he has not yet matched Byram's NHL production.
What does Anaheim get back for Olen Zellweger?
The Ducks receive a quality prospect and a valuable mid-round pick. Wahlberg has 71 points in 140 AHL games over three seasons and represented Sweden at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships, earning silver in 2024.
Anaheim now owns seven selections in the 2026 draft, including picks at 45th and 50th overall. The club noted it has depth on defense and may prefer a more experienced blueliner in the lineup spot Zellweger occupied.
Zellweger averaged just under 17 minutes per game in 2025-26, down from nearly 19 minutes the prior season, when he led Ducks defensemen in power-play time. If he reaches his ceiling in Buffalo, Anaheim's return could look light — but for now, the Ducks add assets as they push for a deeper playoff run.