Tempting Trade Talks Force Vancouver Canucks to Reconsider Elias Pettersson's Future

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has heard his name in trade rumors for several months now, dating back to early January when the team began exploring the market for him and J.T. Miller amidst a feud between the two.

Patrik Allvin ultimately dealt J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers and held onto Elias Pettersson, believing he'll bounce back and will be an impact player for the organization for several years to come.

Pettersson had a solid month in March, registering ten points in 11 games before suffering a season-ending injury and once Vancouver's 2024-25 campaign came to a close, those trade rumors ramped back up, including a report that stated the team is taking calls on the Swedish forward.

In less than a week, Elias Pettersson's contract will begin to include a full no-movement clause, which allows the 26-year-old to control where he is and isn't willing to be traded to, if the Canucks were to explore that avenue in the years ahead.

Because of his no-movement clause kicks on Canada Day, there were many people wonder if the Vancouver Canucks would attempt to trade him before than, with insider Chris Johnston sharing on TSN 1050 radio recently that teams have called Patrik Allvin to inquire about Elias Pettersson.

Johnston went on to add that he doesn't believe a trade will end up happening, but you can never say never.

Trading Elias Pettersson would be an incredibly risky move by the Vancouver Canucks given the team's lack of depth at the center position and if they were to move him, it would likely be Filip Chytil taking over in that 1C hole, unless Patrik Allvin managed to find a legit number one centerman, which won't be easy.

Pettersson's contract also wouldn't be easy to move, even with the National Hockey League's salary cap set to rise exponentially in the next several years, with the Sundsvall, Sweden native having seven years left on his deal with an annual salary of $11.6 million US.

Sure, Elias Pettersson had a down year in 2024-25 as he registered just 45 points in 64 games, but the team is confident that he'll be able to bounce back next season and is already taking steps this summer to show that he wants to return to the player he was three seasons ago.