Lack of Options May Force the Vancouver Canucks to Reportedly Put Elias Pettersson on the Trade Block
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
The Vancouver Canucks may need to part ways with one of their top defensive prospects in order to land a top-six centerman ahead of the 2025-26 season.
We're just a few days away from the start of August and while the Vancouver Canucks have been very busy this summer so far, they've had a difficult time trying to find a second line centerman.
As things stand right now, the team will head into the season with Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil as their 1C and 2C, respectively, but Patrik Allvin reportedly isn't done adding and if he wants to add a legit top-six centerman to his group, he may have to part with one of his top prospects.
Vancouver Canucks defensive prospect may need to be traded in order to land 2C
The cost around the National Hockey League to acquire a top-six centerman is still quite high as we get deeper into the offseason and the Vancouver Canucks aren't the only team looking for some help down the middle, which will certainly drive the prices up.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager has tried to acquire some help down the middle this summer already, but hasn't had any luck and during a recent addition of Sekeres and Price, the two discussed the possibility of the club dealing one of their top prospects, Elias Pettersson, to get what they want.
"Would you trade that kind of a left-shot defenseman for a sure fire, and I think he is a sure fire second line center in McTavish? I think the answer is yes, you do trade that guy." Price said.
Sekeres added, "Like, if you're going to sit here and tell me that Elias Pettersson turns into Jaccob Slavin, then that would give me pause because that's one of the best defensive defenseman on the planet and a very, very valuable piece. But if he falls short of that, I think JFresh has it mostly right. That's a second pairing guy. It's still a valuable piece, particularly with the physicality he plays with, the energy that he plays with. But that's not as valuable as a second line center."
Sekeres added, "Like, if you're going to sit here and tell me that Elias Pettersson turns into Jaccob Slavin, then that would give me pause because that's one of the best defensive defenseman on the planet and a very, very valuable piece. But if he falls short of that, I think JFresh has it mostly right. That's a second pairing guy. It's still a valuable piece, particularly with the physicality he plays with, the energy that he plays with. But that's not as valuable as a second line center."
Vancouver's interest in Mason McTavish was first reported last week by Patrick Johnston of The Province, but it's going to take a lot to get it done, there's no doubt about that, as he's a piece that the Anaheim Ducks don't want to part with unless they feel getting a contract done with the RFA is impossible.
Elias Pettersson, who made his NHL debut back in January, would certainly be a good start when it comes to the trade package, potentially along with a first round pick - either in 2026 or 2027 - along with another player off their roster to clear cap space, possibly someone like Teddy Blueger.
With the emergence of Victor Mancini as a legit NHL option for the Vancouver Canucks, along with the club getting Tom Willander signed to his entry-level contract, the team would still be in a good place, if they decided to move on from the 21-year-old who hails from Vasteras, Sweden.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 28|2177 ANSWERS Lack of Options May Force the Vancouver Canucks to Reportedly Put Elias Pettersson on the Trade Block Would you be okay with the Vancouver Canucks parting ways with defenseman Elias Pettersson if it meant adding a 2C? | ||
| Yes | 1022 | 46.9 % |
| No | 1155 | 53.1 % |
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