The NHL community is abuzz with trade speculation, and the Vancouver Canucks are bang in the middle of it all. Jim Rutherford has made it clear that he is willing to consider moving veterans to inject some new energy into the roster. Of course, any such discourse excludes the face of the franchise, Quinn Hughes.
Kiefer Sherwood and Evander Kane are foremost among veteran Canucks players teetering on the edge of the possibility of being traded, whether they like it or not. Now, an analyst has linked a 27-year-old forward with the formidable force of the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes.
Elias Pettersson Linked to the Carolina Hurricanes Amid Vancouver Canucks’ Trade Sale
Moving players like Sherwood and Kane is easier because no airtight no-movement or no-trade clauses are bogging down the management. However, when it comes to their current situation, Vancouver will be willing to undertake adverse measures if that means getting out of their current slump. That means even veterans with some immunity could be relocated if it comes down to it.
Consequently, rumors have zeroed in on Elias Pettersson, the 27-year-old forward who is in the second year of his eight-year, $92.8 million contract. Pettersson has a full no-movement clause, so what are the odds that he is moved?
It is not just the Canucks who would want to move the star forward if the season progresses the way it has. As Nick Kypreos pointed out, Pettersson, too, could wish to take his championship aspirations elsewhere, preferably to a more competitive team.
“Despite now having a full no-movement clause, it has been thought that if things went sour again this season for the Canucks that both the team and player would be open to a change.”
For such a development to occur, the Canucks really need to be convinced of the irredeemability of the season. However, according to the analyst, conversations between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Canucks regarding Pettersson have already happened.
Vancouver could be interested in Canes forward Andrei Svechnikov. The Canes, if they even decide to move him, will reportedly seek a high price in return for Svechnikov.
However, according to Kypreos, Pettersson will be the Canucks’ last straw. Chances of such a development appear slim right now, but unless Vancouver really proves successful in turning this season around, there is every possibility that he’s out the door.
“While a Pettersson trade might be slower to develop this season, he’ll remain on this [trade board] list until the Canucks can prove they’ll contend for a playoff spot,” Kypreos reported.
As Quinn Hughes pointed out, amid the relentless trade discourse that surrounds the Canucks, the only way to block out all the noise is to put up a show and win games.