Trusted NHL source links two new teams to Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson as trade talks


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Jan 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) considers his options with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Bell Centre.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

An NHL insider has linked Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson to two new teams as trade talks begin to heat up with the Olympic roster freeze looming.

We’re less than 20 days away from the National Hockey League’s roster freeze for the 2026 Winter Olympics and talks are beginning to pick up on the trade market, including for the Vancouver Canucks.

“Obviously, every club in the National Hockey League has untouchables, but management of the Vancouver Canucks is now using the rebuild word, so they have to be open for business, open for just about anything, and that might include finally trading Elias Pettersson. Now, we know that there’s been a ton of speculation from a media perspective on Pettersson’s future with the Vancouver Canucks. That was more into the off-season, more last season than to this point.” TSN’s Darren Dreger said about the availability of Elias Pettersson.

Two new teams linked to Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson

Earlier this week, TSN insider Chris Johnston reported that teams he could see interested in Elias Pettersson include the Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings, all of whom could use a big boost down the middle ahead of the playoff push.

Carolina, Detroit and Los Angeles, if they do enter the mix, won’t be the only teams wanting to get their hands on Elias Pettersson, with David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period mentioning last week that he wonders if the the Ottawa Senators and Utah Mammoth, both of whom have had interest in the past, will circle back now that he’s available again.

“Teams are poking around, I’m curious about some of them, like LA, Chicago, Utah, Ottawa, having some interest in the past, I could certainly see them circling back; I’ll throw Carolina there too.” Pagnotta said on Inside Sports.

The biggest factor in all of this is Elias Pettersson’s contract, with the Sundsvall, Sweden native owed $11.6 million annually for six more years following the 2025-26 campaign, which is a huge financial commitment for any team and it’s going to be really interesting to see if any teams bite and make a competitive offer for him prior to March 6th.

Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily

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Trusted NHL source links two new teams to Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson as trade talks ramp up

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