NHL Trade Blitz: Byram, Kyrou, Eklund, Nemec Dealt

The NHL trade market exploded Tuesday. Four established players changed teams before the 2026 NHL Draft. Bowen Byram, Jordan Kyrou, William Eklund and Simon Nemec all moved.

Four Deals Reshape the Board Before the NHL Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo received the No. 4 pick, the No. 45 pick and defenseman Louis Crevier. The Washington Capitals landed winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues. St. Louis received forward Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin and the No. 16 pick. Kyrou waived a no-trade clause to approve the move.

The Ottawa Senators acquired winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks. Ottawa sent the No. 9 pick to San Jose for Eklund. The Senators also added forward Kasper Halttunen and the rights to Brandon Svoboda. The Calgary Flames acquired defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov from New Jersey.

The Nemec package gave New Jersey three premium assets and a prospect. The Devils received a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick. New Jersey also got a 2026 second-round pick and prospect Etienne Morin. The 2027 pick originated with Vegas, and the 2028 pick originated with Colorado.

NHL teams rarely move four regulars in a single afternoon. Tuesday broke that pattern before the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday. ESPN described the offseason trade market as officially on fire. The Senators already traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers this month. The Edmonton Oilers also hired Mike Babcock as head coach this week.

These deals reset draft boards and salary structures across the league. The Sabres now hold the No. 4 pick and the No. 45 pick. The Capitals added scoring with Kyrou but sent the No. 16 pick to St. Louis. The Blackhawks added a top-four defenseman in Byram for their rebuild. The Flames bet two future first-round picks on Nemec upside.

More moves could land before the 2026 NHL Draft opens Friday. Columbus and defenseman Zach Werenski plan to discuss Werenski future after the draft. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin also requested a trade from the Red Wings. The Senators, Flames and Blackhawks now pivot to free agency on July 1. Tuesday signaled an aggressive summer across all 32 NHL teams.