Pettersson's agent comments on trade rumours engulfing the Vancouver Canucks centre
No movement clause be damned, trade speculation surrounding Elias Pettersson hasn’t subsided.
Sure, the 27-year-old centre is tied for the Vancouver Canucks lead in scoring with 29 points. However, he’s on pace for just 23 goals and 51 points over 74 games, if he plays the rest of the season.
That certainly isn’t the superstar production Canucks management was hoping for when they signed him to an eight-year, $92.8 million contract back in March 2024.
With the Canucks entering a rebuild, it’s starting to look more like the Canucks number one centre could use a change of scenery.
But does Pettersson actually feel that way?
J.P. Barry, Pettersson’s agents, provided some insights on Thursday morning during a chat with Donnie and Dhali hosts Don Taylor and Rick Dhaliwal.
“When a team isn’t doing well, then everybody’s going to be discussed,” Barry acknowledged.
“It’s always hard for us when it’s a player who has a no-move, but that’s the reality of where things are when things don’t go well.”
“For us, we know it’s not real unless the GM is calling us and saying that there’s an actual team or a deal. Nine times out of 10, it’s just a rumour.”
Barry was also asked if he thinks Pettersson is happy in Vancouver.
“I think he’s happy,” Barry said. “I mean, no one’s happy when they’re losing.”
“He committed to be there and try to make the best of it, and he’s going to do that. I’m
sure there’s going to be all kinds of discussions at the end of this year about every player on that team.”
So, what if the Canucks did call Barry and present him with a trade offer involving Pettersson?
“The reality is that when you have the leverage to have a no-move, you’re giving up a lot,” Barrie said. “You’re basically purchasing that for sometimes a million dollars or more.”
“So, the player retains the right to go to a spot that he wants to go to, and it’ll open up that kind of dialogue, but that hasn’t happened yet.
“I mean, obviously, it has to be a location that works for both sides.”
While Barry did downplay the rumours, it certainly doesn’t sound like the door is slammed shut on a Pettersson trade out of Vancouver.
You can compare his comments about Pettersson’s situation to his musing about Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers, and whether or not he will waive his no-move clause to facilitate a trade.
“He has secured it, and the intention was to play in Vancouver,” Barry said. “He’s a veteran guy who wanted to finish his career in Vancouver. So that’s even a more delicate discussion.”
Myers is, of course, older and has three kids. However, his chance to win a Stanley Cup before he retires isn’t happening in Vancouver.
It probably isn’t happening for Pettersson in Vancouver either. However, if he were a second-line centre behind a true superstar pivot, perhaps a Cup win could follow.