Elias Pettersson Could Be the Next Big Name to Fall in a Rapidly Heating Trade Market

With the NHL trade market beginning to shake loose ahead of the Olympic break, the pace of significant moves has picked up quickly — and the league may not be done with blockbusters just yet. After the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks unexpectedly jumped in to land Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks, attention has turned sharply toward Vancouver and what could come next.

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Increasingly, that spotlight is landing on Elias Pettersson.

While trade speculation around Pettersson is nothing new, the context feels different this time. Nearly a year removed from the Canucks dealing J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers — a move rooted in the belief that Miller and Pettersson could no longer coexist as Vancouver’s top two centres — the organization appears more open than ever to exploring major structural changes.

According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, Vancouver “couldn’t be more open for business,” having a spot available in their roster at center and being mindful of Pettersson not quite playing at last season’s level but not at last season’s level when he received such a enormous contract extension in March of 2024, which is set at $11.6 million and is considered his handcuff in Vancouver as much as it is Vancouver’s potential impediment.

Now, it may be the very reason a deal becomes possible.

Why a Pettersson Trade Feels More Real Than Ever

The Canucks are in a spot where flexibility is more important than image. It appears that discussions are heating up around the league, and that they are willing to trade, not only in-depth trades, but anyone if the price is right. This was reflected by NHL insider Frank Seravalli, who even suggested that a trade within the league could happen before the Olympics if enough steam is built up.

There’s also a growing acceptance in the NHL that premium centers have a price tag. The signings that have taken place in the past few weeks, namely for Christian Dvorak and Alexander Wennberg, who are both best considered middle-of-the-line-up centers, only serve to highlight just how rich the market is in the NHL’s bottom six.

With that in mind, it’s not quite as alarming that Pettersson has a $11.6 million cap hit if a team thinks that a new environment will unlock his superstar potential.

As Seravalli put it, if a team believes it can rejuvenate Pettersson’s career, the financial risk becomes far more palatable.

Potential Landing Spots and the Cost of Doing Business

One team that continues to surface in these discussions is the Carolina Hurricanes. Pettersson has been linked to Carolina in the past, and Johnston noted there could be a fit if the Hurricanes are willing to move centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi as part of a larger package. Kotkaniemi, 25, may use a reset of his own, and Vancouver would more than likely require some big additional assets in order to balance it out.

The important thing to remember here is that Pettersson will not come cheap, even if he signs this contract. The cost to acquire him will likely include an exchange of young players from the acquiring team, along with high futures, and possibly an extra pick in next year’s draft. Vancouver is not looking to lose, nor does Pettersson have anything but center-quality talent.

Beyond Carolina, teams like Dallas, Minnesota, and Florida have been loosely connected, while dark-horse contenders could emerge as the market tightens. Timing also matters. With the Olympic break looming, front offices may prefer clarity sooner rather than letting uncertainty linger into the stretch run.

What Comes Next

Whether Pettersson ultimately moves before the trade deadline, during the summer, or not at all, the noise around him is louder than it has ever been. Vancouver’s willingness to listen, combined with a rapidly accelerating trade market, creates conditions where a bold move feels increasingly plausible.

If the Canucks do pull the trigger, it won’t signal a teardown — but it would mark a decisive shift in direction. And in a league suddenly unafraid of seismic trades, Elias Pettersson may be the next domino to fall.

Next: NHL Trade Reality Check: Coleman, Thomas & Garland