A Blockbuster Elias Pettersson Trade Idea Has Canadiens Fans Talking

Trege Wilson of The Hockey Writers laid out a bold idea this week: if the Vancouver Canucks are truly pivoting after moving Quinn Hughes, the Montreal Canadiens should explore a blockbuster move for Elias Pettersson. He argues that Pettersson could finally solve the Habs’ long-standing centre depth issue.

It’s an aggressive proposal — and one that’s worth unpacking.

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The strongest part of Wilson’s argument is simple: Montreal desperately needs a legitimate second-line centre. Nick Suzuki is firmly entrenched as the No. 1, but behind him, the Canadiens are asking a lot of young or depth options. Oliver Kapanen has impressed, but ideally, he’s a third-line centre on a contending team. Pettersson would instantly slide into that No. 2 role and give the Canadiens something they haven’t had in years — two real scoring lines that can drive play.

The timing might also be ideal. If Vancouver truly is looking to shed contracts or trigger a rebuild, Pettersson’s eight-year, $11.6 million deal suddenly becomes more movable than it would have seemed a year ago.

Why Would the Canadiens Make This Trade?

For Montreal, that contract is hefty, but it’s the kind of risk GM Kent Hughes has been known to take. It hasn’t arguably always worked out (see Patrik Laine), but Hughes isn’t afraid to place his bets on once-proven stars. Pettersson isn’t the player who signed a monster deal with the Canucks, but he’s still effective. He would spend most of the deal in his prime while supporting younger stars like Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov. That’s not a short-term band-aid — that’s a foundational move.

Where the pitch becomes shakier is the price.

Wilson suggests a package built around prospects like Owen Beck and Adam Engstrom, plus a first-round pick. From Montreal’s perspective, that’s palatable — but only to a point. The Canadiens can afford to trade from organizational depth, particularly on the left side of the blue line, but giving up premium centre prospects or multiple top picks would run counter to Kent Hughes’ patient approach.

The moment names like Michael Hage or Oliver Kapanen enter the discussion, the risk potentially starts to outweigh the reward. Remember, Pettersson is an expensive bet. A fresh start might be what he needs, but he may also never come close to offering the value of the extension he signed.

This Isn’t An Easy Trade to Pull Off

There’s also the no-move clause hurdle. Pettersson would have to believe Montreal is closer to contention than Vancouver (which is obvious). He would also need to embrace the pressure of playing in that market, the type of pressure that he hasn’t always handled well. The Canadiens are clearly trending upward, that sell isn’t automatic. Pettersson might want to go to a location where the spotlight isn’t so bright.

All told, Wilson’s proposal hits on a real need and a rare opportunity. Pettersson in Montreal makes sense on paper — but only if the Canadiens can strike the right balance between boldness and restraint.

Next: A Maple Leafs & Predators Trade That Makes Sense?