Same Team Popping Up as Elias Pettersson Trade Speculation Grows

The Vancouver Canucks may not be actively shopping Elias Pettersson, but the noise around the star center is getting louder — and it’s no longer easy to ignore. Trade talks will ramp up during the Olympic break with a flurry of activity once the roster freeze lifts. Will Pettersson be among the blockbuster deals?

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After the Canucks moved major pieces in recent weeks, including franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes and forward Kiefer Sherwood, rival executives have begun circling Vancouver to gauge whether Pettersson could eventually become available. The 27-year-old center carries an $11.6 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause, which complicates any scenario, but league insiders continue to link his name to potential offseason movement.

On Jan. 11, Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province floated the idea that the Canucks could explore a Pettersson trade if their retool accelerates. Johnston noted that the Carolina Hurricanes had previously been interested in Pettersson before he re-signed in 2024 and suggested rebuilding clubs such as the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks as potential destinations. The logic is simple: elite centers rarely become available, and even in a down year, Pettersson’s ceiling remains undeniable.

Further fuel was added on Jan. 20 when NHL insider Frank Seravalli said on Sportsnet that there would be teams willing to take on Pettersson’s contract despite the price tag. Seravalli pointed to the league-wide shortage of true top-line centers and the belief that a change of scenery could help Pettersson rediscover his high-scoring form.

Why Carolina Keeps Coming Up

If there is a team that continues to make sense, it’s Carolina.

The Hurricanes are perpetually aggressive, analytically driven, and unafraid of big swings. They’ve long sought a true offensive centerpiece down the middle, and Pettersson would instantly become the most skilled center in franchise history. Carolina is reportedly dangling Jesperi Kotkaniemi in various trade conversations, and while Kotkaniemi alone wouldn’t headline a Pettersson package, he could serve as a cap-balancing piece in a larger framework.

From Vancouver’s perspective, acquiring a younger center with term plus futures could align with a transitional roster strategy. The Hurricanes also have the prospect depth and draft capital to structure a competitive offer — something many contenders simply can’t match.

Other Potential Destinations

Chicago remains a fascinating hypothetical. Pairing Pettersson with Connor Bedard would give the Blackhawks a devastating one-two punch down the middle and accelerate their rebuild overnight. San Jose, meanwhile, is still searching for a franchise identity post-rebuild and could view Pettersson as a cornerstone acquisition if ownership green-lights a splash.

Teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild could also surface as dark horses if cap gymnastics are possible this summer. Both clubs are hungry for elite center talent and may be willing to sacrifice significant assets to get it.

Timing Matters

Any Pettersson trade is far more likely to occur in the offseason than at the deadline. His cap hit requires creativity, and most contenders simply don’t have the flexibility midseason. Once the salary cap rises and contracts roll off the books in July, the market becomes much more realistic.

It’s also worth remembering that Pettersson controls the situation. His no-movement clause gives him final say, meaning Vancouver would need both a compelling offer and a destination he approves.

For now, the Canucks insist they remain committed to their star center. But in a league where franchise players move more often than ever, the combination of roster upheaval, cap pressure, and league-wide center scarcity ensures that Pettersson’s name will stay firmly planted in trade conversations.

And if the Hurricanes — or another aggressive suitor — decide the price is worth paying, this summer could become one of the NHL’s defining storylines.

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