Insider Says Kings Could Still 'Pounce' On Elias Pettersson

Yes, the Los Angeles Kings have been linked to the Vancouver Canucks' struggling center Elias Pettersson this offseason. And yes, Pettersson has been seen working out in LA. But insiders have quashed the idea of a trade anytime soon. 

 

The latest comes to us from insider David Pagnotta, who appeared on the Sekeres & Price Podcast. And he says the Kings' interest in EP40 is on the back burner for now, but it's not dead in the water by any means: 

I think if the price drops and the opportunity is there, I think Ken Holland & company would pounce on that. The interest was real. I don't know where it stands right now, because the Kings, for the time being, are going to practice with having Adrian Kempe at (top line) center and (Quinton) Byfield being the 2C... They want to see if that works.

Kempe was drafted as a center and then he moved to the wing where he's admitted that he is better suited on the wing. But now, because (Anze Kopitar) is gone, you want to see... Does it make sense, can he gel at the dot? And if it works out, it's a win for the Kings, because then they don't have to focus on other elements. If it doesn't, then we could see them shift back, perhaps, to Elias Pettersson. 

First, as for the price tag, that starts with the massive $11.6 million cap hit Pettersson carries for another six years. The other part of the price would be what the Canucks want in return. 

For now, however, Vancouver is focusing on getting Pettersson right, within their system, according to Pagnotta. 

"The Canucks have taken an approach with him, especially with the (new front office duo) Sedins, where they want to get him back on track." 

And why wouldn't they? A former 100-point man, if Vancouver can either get Pettersson back and productive to a reasonable rate, or at least boost his trade value, that would be in their best interests. After a couple of 50-point-ish seasons, EP40 does not have other teams banging down the Canucks' doors to make big offers.