Report: NHL Teams Still Inquiring About Elias Pettersson
The Athletic's Chris Johnston believes that NHL teams do see value (although untapped) in center Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks.
Petterson, who has experienced a decline in production after a turbulent year with veteran J.T. Miller prior to his trade to New York. This season, the Canucks top forward scored a total of 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 74 games.
His trade value has dropped as his last two seasons with the team scoring 96 points in 138 games. A far cry from his 102-point season in 2022-23.
The team will have to consider retaining salary if they run into any hurdles along the way of moving the 5th overall pick in 2017.
“I have no doubt that [Pettersson] is tradeable, and likely at full bore. Now the thing is if you’re taking on that full contract, I don’t think the Canucks can expect to get much back in return,” Chris Johnston said on The Athletic Hockey Show.
Chris Johnston believes teams still see untapped potential in Elias Pettersson. If Vancouver makes him available, where should he end up? 🤔⬇️ pic.twitter.com/tPt2pcG84L
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) June 4, 2026
Pettersson's contract would be a bitter pill for the next team to swallow, with an average annual value of $11.6 million per year, something general manager Ryan Johnson will have to take into account should a trade come to fruition.
It may be the best option for the team to wait for Pettersson to regain his footing in the NHL and see how he performs under new leadership.
The team has been on a hiring spree, as they've undergone a remodel, with the addition of Manny Malhotra as the new head coach, after firing coach Adam Foote. The team brought back the Sedin Twins as co-Presidents of Hockey Operations.
The Canucks will have to sit with the decisions of the front offices of the past, as Patrik Allvin rewarded Pettersson generously, signing him to an 8-year, $92 million deal
His value will be diminished further by his no-movement clause attached to his eight-year contract, limiting their trade capabilities without his discretion.
Either way, GM Ryan Johnson will have to grin & bear it should he have to trade Pettersson for less than what he's truly worth on the market.
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