Photo credit: Bob Frid – Imagn Images.
A pair of Eastern Conference clubs have been named as potential landing spots for Vancouver Canucks centerman Elias Pettersson once the roster freeze concludes.
The Vancouver Canucks have a number of players that are generating interest on the league’s trade market right now and reportedly among them is forward Elias Pettersson, who TSN’s Darren Dreger revealed last month was made available by General Manager Patrik Allvin.
“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.” Dreger said.
Pettersson has struggled offensively over the last couple of seasons and unfortunately for all parties involved, it might be time to part ways in the near future, whether that be at the trade deadline in March or in the offseason, but one thing standing in Vancouver’s way is the centerman’s full no-movement clause.
Pair of Eastern Conference teams linked to Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson
If the Vancouver Canucks are presented with an offer that they can’t refuse for Elias Pettersson, then there’s no question that they’ll approach him and his camp about waiving his no-movement clause.
At the end of the day, the Sundsvall, Sweden native has the final say and if he wants to be traded and given a new opportunity, which is unclear at this point, it’ll almost certainly be to a contender that’ll give him a chance to remain a top-six centerman.
Among the teams that have been linked to Elias Pettersson in recent weeks include the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings and while it’s always important to take things with a grain of salt at this time of year, it looks like the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning could also be potential landing spots for him.
“Hearing the @Canes and @TBLightning might pivot to @Canucks Elias Pettersson after the trade freeze is over , after just missing out on the Panarin sweepstakes.” @HockeyyInsiderr said on X.
Both Carolina and Tampa Bay are teams that would like to keep their competitive window open for another few years and adding someone like Elias Pettersson would help accomplish that, especially for the Hurricanes as they look for their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 2006.
The return in an Elias Pettersson trade could be massive for the Vancouver Canucks, with David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reporting last month that Patrik Allvin might be looking at a package featuring a first round pick, a top-two center and another “big” asset, which would presumably be a prospect.
“Re Elias Pettersson: I would expect three quality pieces here coming back, a 1st round pick, a top 2 center; and then another big asset, that’s kind of what you’re probably looking at; it’s gonna be a hefty price.” Pagnotta said during an appearance on Inside Sports.
In 49 games this season, the 27-year-old Pettersson has registered 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists), 14 penalty minutes and is a minus-15 while averaging 19:30 of ice time.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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Pair of Eastern Conference clubs named as top contenders to land Elias Pettersson
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