Sources Believe Vancouver Canucks are Pursuing Bigger Names Than Marcus Pettersson for trade

While the cost to acquire a top-four defenseman is expected to be quite high, it's an avenue the Vancouver Canucks are expected to pursue and there should be quite a few names on the trade market that could be a fit for the club.

Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins has been linked to the Vancouver Canucks recently, especially after reports this week stating that Kyle Dubas made everyone available for trade, other than captain Sidney Crosby.

In a recent article on The Province, Patrick Johnston examined options for Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks to pursue as they try to address their top-four. Instead of trying to grab Marcus Pettersson from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Johnston suggests aiming for Rasmus Andersson or MacKenzie Weegar, both of the Calgary Flames.

Andersson, 28, has had a great start to the 2024-25 campaign in Calgary, registering 11 points (four goals, seven assists), eight penalty minutes and is a plus-two in 18 games. The Malmo, Sweden native has one year remaining on his contract following the current seasons and is set to hit the open market on July 1st, 2026.

Given how well Andersson has started the season, his trade value is quite high and would probably cost the Vancouver Canucks at least a first-round pick, possibly also a second or third-rounder, along with another asset.

As for MacKenzie Weegar, he's locked up for six more years following the 2024-25 season with a cap hit of $6.25 million. Weegar's contract will take him until the conclusion of the 2030-31 season where he'll be 37-years-old. While there may be concerns in the latter few seasons of that contract, for a Canucks team that's in their competitive window right now, as Patrick Johnston says, he would be a great fit.