Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Before the 2026 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres swung a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks that sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the "Windy City".
In return, the Sabres received the fourth overall pick in Round 1 of the draft - used to take defenseman Daxon Rudolph - a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (traded as part of a deal to acquire defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks), and defenseman Louis Crevier.
It was quite a weird circumstance for Crevier to receive word of the deal that was sending him to the Sabres.
"I was actually in Italy, I was in Rome when the trade happened. It's six hours difference from Buffalo, so it was about 3, 4 in the morning when I learned it," said Crevier during an appearance on "Sabres Live" on Monday. "We actually went to dinner super late, because that's how they do it over there - we went to eat at about 10 p.m. and we came back a little bit later. The first part of the trade came out a bit earlier, and for some reason, when you're in Europe, my data wasn't working really well so I couldn't get texts or calls from my agents, from the team. But I was able to text Alex Vlasic, for some reason, that was the only guy I could text. He kind of gave me the heads up, 'Hey, Louis, you might be seeing some stuff.' It was a unique experience to get traded like that, while you're on a trip."
Crevier says he spent time during the offseason watching the Sabres during the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens.
"It's such a good team, such a young team. I'm super excited to join the team," Crevier said with Brian Duff and Marty Biron.
The 6-foot-8, 228-pounder's role with the Blackhawks grew quite a bit during the 2025-26 season. He appeared in 78 games with Chicago, putting up seven goals and adding 15 assists for 22 points, while averaging 17:08 of ice-time.
Through parts of three seasons with the Blackhawks, Crevier has scored 10 career goals, while registering 22 assists for 32 points in 134 games played.
Crevier feels he can fit right in with the Sabres organization and a defensive group that some consider to be the best in the entire NHL.
"I feel like growing up in the Chicago organization, I had to play multiple roles. Even last year, I started as the seventh defenseman early in the year, and I felt like I was forcing 'Blash's' [head coach Jeff Blashill] hands to stay in the lineup. So I started with less minutes, but then by the end of the year, I was playing with the top pairs against bigger lines," Crevier said. "I do feel like I'm able to play all over the lineup. It's always different to join a new team, so we'll see what happens. But I'm confident I'll be able to help the team."
Crevier's journey to the NHL is a unique one after being a seventh-round pick (188th overall) of the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Draft. From that draft class, Crevier has played the most games of any player that was drafted in the fourth round or later.
Now that he's ready to join the Sabres this upcoming season, Crevier is hoping to take his next big step by joining a winning team with expectations.
"There's always a period of transition, so that's something I've never really experienced before. So playing with those really good players, some really good defensemen is something I'm super excited to do," he said. "I want to do the same thing I did in Chicago, which is playing simple, and when I have my shot to bomb a shot to the net and create some offense there. You're never going to see me do what [Rasmus] Dahlin does on the blue line. I'm going to keep it simple, but obviously I want to chip in offensively when I have the chance and play some good defense. That's why I'm in the NHL right now, and it's to play defense."
One element of his game that Crevier is looking forward to taking advantage of in Buffalo is utilizing his big shot, with some help from his massive frame from the back end.
"I always knew I had a strong shot. I kind of discovered this year I can use it more often with a lot of power. I know I'll be able to do it again this year, so I think it'll be something cool to do in Buffalo to have a 100 mph shot. That'll be pretty cool," Crevier said.
