Who Says No: Canucks and Sabres Trade Could End GM Careers

Elliotte Friedman shocked the entire hockey world yesterday on his latest edition of 32 Thoughts, the podcast. After the Buffalo Sabres lost their 10th straight game on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he went on his show and threw down a trade idea that caught apparently everyone but him by surprise. He asked, Who says no? and then proceeded to suggest a blockbuster between the Sabres and Vancouver Canucks that included Elias Pettersson.

The thought around the league is that the Sabres will need to make a change to shake up the roster. Some also believe the Canucks are open to considering a Pettersson trade. Having said that, who does this trade benefit most? And, for the GM who gets it wrong, is that all she wrote?

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Friedman’s Trade Theory

Keep in mind this is purely speculation on Friedman’s part. His trade idea is based on his own thoughts. He confirmed later in the day that the two teams have talked, but he’s got no confirmation it is about his proposed deal.

He said:

“I had some time on Sunday to think, and I was thinking about the Sabres, and I was thinking about Rick Tocchet and what he had to say on Saturday and reiterated on Sunday. I want to stress this is purely in my head, who says no? [Dylan] Cozens and Bowen Byram for Pettersson.”

Well, who says no? The Sabres or the Vancouver Canucks?

The Canucks Likely Say No

Well, Friedman also had the answer to that after his hypothetical trade between the two clubs. His co-host Kyle Bukauskas responded, “If that was proposed, I think that Vancouver is more likely to say no than Buffalo.” Noting that the Canucks are in a position where they want to contend for the Stanley Cup, you don’t give up the best player in the trade.

Friedman agreed.

But, does a struggling Pettersson help the Canucks? Friedman alluded to Tocchet’s comments to the media on Saturday, which many assume include Elias Pettersson. “Let’s face facts: we have four or five guys; they’re struggling.” If Pettersson is too inconsistent to be counted on, is he someone the Canucks want to gamble their playoff hopes on?

What About the Sabres? Is This A Huge Risk?

It is clear that the Sabres are struggling badly this season. But lost in the shuffle is how much Elias Pettersson is struggling with the Canucks. Not long ago, fans and show hosts were crying about the contract given to him and how much of an overpay it could turn out to be. Now that there’s someone out there suggesting to trade that contract, are those same people walking back what they said? If so, why?

In 30 games this season, he has eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points. With the pace he is on, he would end the season with around 71 points over 82 games. That’s a great production, but arguably not $11.6 million per season-level production. If he went to Buffalo and did what he’s doing now, are the Sabres wise to take on that entire contract? It runs until 2032. And, they’d be giving up two really solid pieces to get it.

The Canucks want to contend for a Cup, but could it happen without Pettersson? The Sabres want to be better, but is Pettersson the guy who will bring them to the playoffs when nothing else seems to work?

While it’s purely speculation, the fact that Friedman brought up Pettersson not being part of the Canucks. Tells me that there could be a world in which Vancouver is considering the possibility of moving on from the 26-year-old.

Should the Sabres and Canucks look at a potential deal to shake up their rosters? Who says no to this deal? Both Patrik Allvin and Kevyn Adams have a lot riding on a deal of this size.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup for December 17