Canucks Trade Rumors: Elias Pettersson Linked To Two Teams Desperate For a Top-Six Center

With the recent reports that Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson is still "tradeable", even at his $11.6M AAV for another six years, viable suitors this summer have begun to be linked to the disappointing Swede.

Ben Kuzma writes in The Vancouver Province that two teams are prime trade partners, given those clubs' desperate need for a top-six center. He names the Detroit Red Wings and the Vancouver Canucks.

Why the Red Wings are a good fit for an Elias Pettersson trade

In Detroit, the need is obvious. No. 1 center Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, so the Wings will be searching for an answer to replace him. Granted, Pettersson has not been a top-line center (or arguably even a 2C) the past couple of seasons, but with three 30+ goal seasons and a 100-point campaign in his not too distant past, it's worth rolling the dice for a team in need.

Additionally, Kuzma reasons that many around the league are still hopeful of Pettersson returning to a 70-to-80 point level, and "that his staples — playmaking, leading league forwards in blocked shots, and defensively sound — might trigger more offence.

"Pressure is on Yzerman because the Red Wings have missed the playoffs for 10 straight seasons. They’re not in a rebuild, but need to re-tool with the expected loss of Larkin," Kuzma continued. "One (re-tooling move) could be to make a pitch for Pettersson.

"Salary cap math isn’t daunting for the Red Wings because the ceiling is rising from $95.5 million to $104 million next season and then $113.5 million. Larkin has five years left on his deal and Pettersson six."

Why the LA Kings are a good fit for an Elias Pettersson trade

Over on the West Coast, the Kings are in need of replacing the now-retired Anze Kopitar. The iconic Kings center leaves a gaping hole at the top of their depth chart after 20 seasons of consistent production. Pettersson is still relatively young (27), and with another six years under contract, could be the long-term answer if he can regain some of his drooping offensive skills.

"(Pettersson) has a no-movement clause," writes Kuzma, "but Los Angeles may be suitable because Pettersson wouldn’t be front-page news, and his wife lived there for 13 years."

In the end, finding a legit top-line center in this league for teams with holes down the middle of their lineups has become increasingly difficult. Free agency won't be a help this year. Front offices will have to take chances. Pettersson could be one of them.