2 Surprising Teams Linked as Landing Spots for Elias Pettersson

As the Vancouver Canucks continue to lose and solidify themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings, trade chatter grows louder around their veteran players. Combine that with GM Patrik Allvin just yesterday openly admitting that they’re in a rebuild, and it’s safe to say that more changes are coming.

Trading Quinn Hughes all but confirmed this, and the attention has since turned to the other big names on the roster, most notably Elias Pettersson.

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Rumors have long connected Pettersson to the Carolina Hurricanes, but according to Patrick Johnston, they aren’t the only potential suitor. In a recent article for The Province, Johnston highlighted two up-and-coming Western Conference teams to watch: the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.

Johnston wrote:

“As I said a week or so ago, there have been calls about him. Other teams are still intrigued by him, given his strong two-way play. He’s not scoring as much as you’d like, but he’s an outstanding defensive player… A team that needs a top-notch centre, one who is close to elite but not a true out-and-out No. 1 guy, say, like Chicago or San Jose, who have young superstars as their top-line centres, would be a good fit.”

The 27-year-old Pettersson has recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 36 games this season. He’s in year two of the eight-year, $92.8 million extension he signed with the Canucks in 2024, earning $11.6 million annually.

Elias Pettersson Could Fit in Chicago or San Jose

As Johnston notes, landing in Chicago or San Jose would allow Pettersson to slot in behind Connor Bedard or Macklin Celebrini, who carry the spotlight in their respective situations.

Given his struggles since extending in Vancouver, that might be exactly what Pettersson needs to rediscover his game, particularly offensively. It’s become clear he can’t be relied upon as a number one option, so pairing him with one of hockey’s brightest young stars in Bedard or Celebrini would be an ideal situation.

Both the Blackhawks and Sharks have the draft capital, prospects, and cap space to make a trade work. While it’s unclear whether either team is in fact interested in Pettersson, everything aligns to make them both legitimate landing spots if the Canucks decide to move their star forward.

Next: Canucks Admit to a Rebuild — Who’s Next to Be Traded?