As the Vancouver Canucks navigate a challenging season, sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 16-23-5 record and enduring a six-game losing streak, trade speculation is intensifying around their key players, particularly Elias Pettersson. General Manager Patrik Allvin's recent admission of a rebuild further fuels these rumors, especially after the significant trade involving Quinn Hughes.
While the Carolina Hurricanes have long been linked to Pettersson, NHL insider Patrick Johnston has identified two additional, perhaps unexpected, teams as potential landing spots: the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks.
Johnston suggests that Pettersson could thrive in Chicago or San Jose by playing behind young, emerging superstars like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. This arrangement could alleviate some pressure on Pettersson and allow him to rediscover his offensive game. Johnston notes that Pettersson, while a strong defensive player, hasn't been scoring as much as expected.
Several factors contribute to the swirling trade winds around Pettersson. He has recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 36 games this season. He is in the second year of an eight-year, $92.8 million contract, carrying an $11.6 million annual cap hit. Although he has a no-move clause (NMC), that doesn't kick in until July 1, 2025.
However, Pettersson's current market value might not align with what the Canucks are seeking in return. Trading him now might not be the most beneficial move for Vancouver unless they receive an overwhelming offer. Allowing Pettersson to improve his performance over the next few months could increase his trade value, potentially attracting more suitors by the trade deadline in March.
Other Canucks players who could draw interest from other teams include Kiefer Sherwood, Evander Kane, Tyler Myers, Teddy Blueger, and David Kampf. The Canucks already made a significant move by trading their captain to the Minnesota Wild for Marco Rossi, Liam Öhgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick.
The Carolina Hurricanes' potential interest stems from their reported exploration of trade options for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Hurricanes were in trade talks with Vancouver about Pettersson two years ago before he re-signed with the Canucks.
The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are in different stages of their team building. The Blackhawks have promising Frank Nazar as their second-line center, while the Sharks recently re-signed Alexander Wennberg and have Michael Misa in their lineup.
Despite the rumors, unless Vancouver receives an offer they cannot refuse, General Manager Patrik Allvin is unlikely to trade Pettersson. The Canucks might wait for Pettersson to regain his form and revisit trade discussions closer to the March deadline to potentially increase his value and attract more interest.
