The post Insider Reveals Potential Trade Destinations for Canucks’ Elias Pettersson appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
The NHL trade market has picked up in a big way, and right now, Elias Pettersson is the name that keeps coming up around the league. On the January 15 episode of The Chris Johnston Show, Chris Johnston laid out a scenario that would have sounded far-fetched not that long ago. In that scenario, one of the league’s stars might actually be available.
With the Vancouver Canucks leaning further into a rebuild, especially after moving franchise cornerstone Quinn Hughes earlier this season, Johnston pointed to the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Carolina Hurricanes as the most realistic teams to keep an eye on for Pettersson.
Pettersson is in the second year of his eight-year, $92.8 million contract, which carries an $11.6 million cap hit through 2032. He has already shown he can be a 100-point player, but a dip in production over the last few seasons has only added fuel to the speculation. According to reports, Vancouver once viewed Pettersson as completely untouchable. That may no longer be the case as the organization looks to restock its prospect pool and reset its timeline.
Elias Pettersson Canucks trade talk
For any team involved, the goal would be pretty clear. Get the 27-year-old back to the level that made him one of the most dangerous centres in the league. After the reports that came out last season about friction with former teammate J.T. Miller, who was recently traded to the New York Rangers. There was a thought that he would be traded last season. However, it now looks like 2025-26 could be the season that he finally gets dealt.
Johnston highlighted three teams that stand out more than the rest.
The Detroit Red Wings have the cap space and prospect depth to put together a serious offer. A player like Nate Danielson could be part of the conversation. In Detroit, Pettersson would not have to carry the entire offensive load, potentially lining up as a high-end second-line centre alongside Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
The Los Angeles Kings are also an interesting fit. With Anze Kopitar in the last season of his career, the need for a long-term answer down the middle is becoming more obvious. Pettersson fits their competitive window and gives them a centre they can build around for years.
The Carolina Hurricanes are familiar with this type of discussion. They showed interest before Pettersson signed his extension and continue to be viewed as a team searching for a true game-breaker. His two-way game fits naturally with Carolina’s structured, fast-paced style.
Even with all the noise, this is not an easy deal to make. Pettersson holds a full no-movement clause, which gives him full control over where he goes. His $11.6 million cap hit also narrows the field and forces any interested team to move real money out the door.
As Johnston noted, any trade involving Pettersson comes with risk. Still, for a team looking to lock in elite centre depth for the next several seasons, it might be the kind of swing that is worth taking if the opportunity is there.
Next: Elias Pettersson Linked to Reunion With Former Head Coach
The post Insider Reveals Potential Trade Destinations for Canucks’ Elias Pettersson appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
Continue reading...
The NHL trade market has picked up in a big way, and right now, Elias Pettersson is the name that keeps coming up around the league. On the January 15 episode of The Chris Johnston Show, Chris Johnston laid out a scenario that would have sounded far-fetched not that long ago. In that scenario, one of the league’s stars might actually be available.
With the Vancouver Canucks leaning further into a rebuild, especially after moving franchise cornerstone Quinn Hughes earlier this season, Johnston pointed to the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Carolina Hurricanes as the most realistic teams to keep an eye on for Pettersson.
Pettersson Looking for a Reset
Pettersson is in the second year of his eight-year, $92.8 million contract, which carries an $11.6 million cap hit through 2032. He has already shown he can be a 100-point player, but a dip in production over the last few seasons has only added fuel to the speculation. According to reports, Vancouver once viewed Pettersson as completely untouchable. That may no longer be the case as the organization looks to restock its prospect pool and reset its timeline.
Elias Pettersson Canucks trade talk
For any team involved, the goal would be pretty clear. Get the 27-year-old back to the level that made him one of the most dangerous centres in the league. After the reports that came out last season about friction with former teammate J.T. Miller, who was recently traded to the New York Rangers. There was a thought that he would be traded last season. However, it now looks like 2025-26 could be the season that he finally gets dealt.
Potential Trade Destinations
Johnston highlighted three teams that stand out more than the rest.
The Detroit Red Wings have the cap space and prospect depth to put together a serious offer. A player like Nate Danielson could be part of the conversation. In Detroit, Pettersson would not have to carry the entire offensive load, potentially lining up as a high-end second-line centre alongside Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
The Los Angeles Kings are also an interesting fit. With Anze Kopitar in the last season of his career, the need for a long-term answer down the middle is becoming more obvious. Pettersson fits their competitive window and gives them a centre they can build around for years.
The Carolina Hurricanes are familiar with this type of discussion. They showed interest before Pettersson signed his extension and continue to be viewed as a team searching for a true game-breaker. His two-way game fits naturally with Carolina’s structured, fast-paced style.
Pettersson’s Contract Clause Could Make it Complicated
Even with all the noise, this is not an easy deal to make. Pettersson holds a full no-movement clause, which gives him full control over where he goes. His $11.6 million cap hit also narrows the field and forces any interested team to move real money out the door.
As Johnston noted, any trade involving Pettersson comes with risk. Still, for a team looking to lock in elite centre depth for the next several seasons, it might be the kind of swing that is worth taking if the opportunity is there.
Next: Elias Pettersson Linked to Reunion With Former Head Coach
The post Insider Reveals Potential Trade Destinations for Canucks’ Elias Pettersson appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
Continue reading...