NHL Trades and Rumors
Canucks Admit Elias Pettersson Trade Possible Pre-Contract Shift
Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin seemingly confirmed that the team would be open to considering a trade to move Elias Pettersson.
“Is it (a trade) possible? I guess I would say anything is possible,” said Vancouver Canucks’ general manager Patrik Allvin. During an interview with Sportsnet’s Iain McIntyre, Allvin noted that he has faith in Pettersson as a No. 1 center but said there are things the dynamic forward needs to work on, and given Jim Rutherford‘s active history as a GM and President, nothing is off the table.
Allvin added:
Petey has shown up to this point that he is an extremely talented, quality player that could and should be a No. 1 centre. I believe in him. I believe that he’s capable. (But) he needs to mature and understand that there are certain expectations and it does not get easier. And you need to face the music when things don’t go well. Is it (a trade) possible? I guess I would say anything is possible.
As for whether anything is imminent, that wasn’t indicated and seems unlikely.
The Canucks are hoping that Pettersson finds more consistency in his game and the drama that unfolded this season between himself and J.T. Miller is addressed and put to rest now that it’s out in the open.
Allvin talked about the big extension the Canucks signed Pettersson to and that he’s not even done half the work that comes with that kind of responsibility. “I don’t believe that he was aware of just how hard it was going to be,” the GM said. He added, “Just because you achieve one thing to get a long-term extension (the $92.8-million contract Pettersson signed in March). . . life just gets harder. You haven’t really accomplished anything.”
Would the Canucks Pull the Trigger on a Pettersson Deal?
If a team were to come to Vancouver and offer them an out on Pettersson’s contract, it’s up for debate about whether the Canucks would talk trade. It’s a big commitment and the organization seems to feel like Pettersson hasn’t matured to the point where he’s living up to his end of the deal.
A Pettersson move would potentially also give the Canucks room to sign Brock Boeser and eliminate the drama between Pettersson and Miller (assuming it’s limited to these two players). The Canucks would open up serious cap flexibility to make other moves, getting out from under what the franchise might feel was a mistake when they gave Pettersson $11.6 million per season until 2032.
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