Pettersson trade talks "serious" and Vancouver Canucks are getting calls: report
The Vancouver Canucks are weighing all their options as they approach a crucial trade deadline in a couple months.
The team is getting offers for both J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson and they’re reportedly listening carefully. Dealing one, or even both, of those players would represent a huge change in this roster, but it’s something the team is weighing.
“There’s a strong sense that trade conversations remain active on both Pettersson and Miller with rival teams at this point in time as Vancouver wants to gauge the marketplace,” said TSN’s Chris Johnston on Insider Trading.Ā
It’s been previously reported the Canucks were thinking about a major trade to fix the dramatic feud between Miller and Pettersson, but many thought that management wasn’t actually considering a Pettersson trade.
Those people seem to be wrong.
“When it comes to Pettersson in particular, it seems as though the Canucks are serious about considering moving him. Multiple teams believed to have shown interest.”
The Swedish star is in the first season of a brand-new eight-year contract, which costs $11.6 million against the cap. He’s not come close to living up to that dollar amount. Pettersson has just 28 points in 34 games and too often looks disengaged.
The concern over Pettersson’s game isn’t just because of a slow start to the season. It’s been nearly a full year since the slick centre has played to his full ability and he had just one goal and six points in last year’s playoff run.
The trade protection in Pettersson’s mega-deal doesn’t begin until next season, giving the Canucks a brief window where they can trade him if they feel they’ve made a mistake.
Despite not playing his best hockey, there’s no doubt Pettersson would bring in a huge return. He’s still just 26 years old and already has a 100-point season under his belt. The Canucks should be able to get a haul.
Johnston mentions the Canucks had discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes last year surrounding a Pettersson trade. If he’s going to be traded, that’s a landing spot that could make a lot of sense, although the rumoured player who was supposed to come back to Vancouver, Martin Necas, is off to a hot start and may have priced himself out of the deal.