Would You Do It? Oilers Land Elias Pettersson in Blockbuster

The Edmonton Oilers have built one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive cores around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but what if they took another massive swing by acquiring Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson?

Pettersson’s future in Vancouver continues to generate speculation after consecutive disappointing seasons. After producing 102 points in 2022-23 and 89 in 2023-24, he fell to 45 points in 64 games in 2024-25 before recording 51 points in 74 games last season.

His $11.6 million cap hit through 2031-32 further complicates a potential trade. Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this offseason that the Canucks could be willing to retain salary in a Pettersson deal, which could make Edmonton an intriguing destination.

Pierre LeBrun: Re Elias Pettersson: The Canucks would have to be willing to retain [salary], which I think they are – Oilers Now (6/17)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 21, 2026

Here’s a hypothetical deal that could get the conversation started.

Oilers-Canucks Pettersson Trade Proposal

Edmonton Oilers receive:

• Elias Pettersson — $3 million retained ($8.6 million cap hit)

Vancouver Canucks receive:

• Isaac Howard
• Trent Frederic
• Ty Emberson
• Beau Akey
• 2027 conditional second-round pick*

The 2027 second-round pick becomes a first-round pick if Edmonton wins the Stanley Cup in 2026-27..

Why the Oilers Could Make the Gamble

For Edmonton, this trade is all about buying low on an immensely talented player.

The biggest factor is Vancouver retaining $3 million of his contract. Edmonton taking Pettersson at the full $11.6 million would be difficult to justify given his recent production. At $8.6 million, however, the equation changes dramatically.

Edmonton wouldn’t necessarily need the 102-point version of Pettersson for the trade to work. If he could return to being a 70-to-80-point two-way forward, an $8.6 million cap hit could provide excellent value. Playing with McDavid or Draisaitl could also be exactly what Pettersson needs. Edmonton could use him on the wing in the top six or create incredible matchup problems by occasionally deploying McDavid, Draisaitl and Pettersson down the middle.

The cost, however, would hurt. Howard would be the centerpiece of Edmonton’s offer and give Vancouver the premium young player it would presumably seek in any Pettersson trade. Losing him would sting, but acquiring a 27-year-old former 100-point scorer requires Edmonton to surrender something significant.

Canucks Get a Five-Piece Package

From Vancouver’s perspective, retaining $3 million annually for six seasons isn’t insignificant. That’s why Howard’s inclusion makes this proposal much more attractive than a package consisting primarily of secondary prospects and draft picks.

Howard gives the Canucks a young offensive building block, while Akey adds another intriguing prospect to their system. Emberson provides Vancouver with an NHL defenceman, while Frederic helps Edmonton make the financial side of the trade work and gives the Canucks a physical forward under long-term team control. Then there’s the conditional pick.

If Edmonton doesn’t win the Stanley Cup in 2026-27, Vancouver receives a second-round selection. If the Pettersson gamble helps deliver a championship, that becomes Edmonton’s first-round pick.

Is Pettersson Worth the Gamble?

This ultimately comes down to Edmonton’s belief in Pettersson. Giving up Howard is substantially different from building a package around lesser prospects. He’s exactly the type of inexpensive, talented young player Edmonton needs while paying significant money to its veteran core.

But opportunities to acquire players with Pettersson’s ceiling don’t come around often. If Vancouver retains enough to bring Pettersson down to $8.6 million, Edmonton would be acquiring a 27-year-old former 102-point centre without surrendering Matthew Savoie or a guaranteed first-round pick.

It’s risky, but for an Oilers organization firmly in its Stanley Cup window, Pettersson could be a gamble worth taking.

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