Canucks Were Told “It’s Time” and Reportedly Fell Short on an Elias Pettersson Deal

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Carolina’s blockbuster for Mikko Rantanen almost never happened. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes were just as close to a deal for Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson.

Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman said Carolina had two trades in play the night the Rantanen deal came together: one with Colorado for Rantanen and one with Vancouver for Pettersson. He admitted he was convinced the Pettersson deal would get done first. “I was slow to pivot to Rantanen,” he said, because he believed Vancouver was the one closing.

That night, Friedman said, it came down to one deal or the other. The Hurricanes reportedly told both clubs the same thing: it’s time. Each team was asked for its best offer, and Carolina would act on whichever one came through.

Colorado delivered. Vancouver, according to Friedman, did not. The Hurricanes felt the Canucks’ offer was lacking, so they went with Rantanen. Friedman said Vancouver was a bit surprised, and the story spread around the league as a cautionary tale.

Did the Canucks Miss a Chance to Move Elias Pettersson?

For several seasons, there has been talk that the Canucks have been listening to trade offers on Pettersson, even shopping the forward. The Los Angeles Kings have been linked, but no deal has ultimately gone down. The fact the Canucks and Hurricanes were that close is an interesting development.

Friedman’s point is less about what Carolina nearly got and more about how general manager Eric Tulsky operates. When Carolina says it’s time to deal, Friedman said, teams had better be ready to deal. The Canucks clearly weren’t. They might have learned the hard way that a deadline from the Hurricanes isn’t a negotiating tactic.

That reputation could matter again. Friedman brought up the story while discussing Carolina’s pursuit of Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, where the Hurricanes reportedly have an offer on the table. Whether Winnipeg and the other interested teams have taken the lesson to heart remains to be seen.

Will the Jets learn from the Canucks mistake?

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Oilers & October Trade Board