The Vancouver Canucks have a lot on their plate this offseason. The 2026 NHL Entry Draft looms at the end of June, and with that comes trade talks. While it would be in the team’s best interest to trade off their veterans, where does a potential Elias Pettersson trade fall in that equation? In another edition of looking at the Canucks’ offseason plans, today, we will discuss why this isn’t the offseason to trade Pettersson.
4 Reasons Why An Elias Pettersson Trade Shouldn’t Happen This Offseason
The struggles of Elias Pettersson are well-documented, and one of the most important aspects of this offseason is navigating the future of their top-line centre. The relationship between Pettersson, his teammates, management, and fans alike is… a complex one, to put it lightly.
Credit Image: © Andy Martin Jr./ZUMAPRESS.com
After a stellar rookie campaign and impressive point totals in the first years of his career, including a 102-point campaign in 2023-24, Pettersson has had a momentous fall-off in his play. Simply put, he does not look like the confident player who zipped up the ice, showed off in shootouts, and took one-timers with no hesitation. Now, he is more of a two-way player who can be responsible defensively, but tends to defer to his teammates rather than take the lead in offensive situations. Despite all that, trading him this offseason would likely not turn out well for Vancouver.
It is Not The Right Time To Trade Him
While getting Pettersson’s $11.6 million salary cap hit off the books could feel tempting, trading him when his value is at its lowest would be a waste. Pettersson only recorded 96 points in 138 games through his last two seasons, which is less than his point total in 2023-24. As such, a potential trade this offseason would not net the Canucks that much in return. In fact, you have to wonder if any team would even want to take on the entirety of his large contract, that still has six years left on it. Retention or a buy-out is likely not an option, considering that the Canucks need to remain flexible with their cap space for years to come.
With the cap rising, the blow of Pettersson’s contract would lessen over time. The cap is set to increase by about $27.5 million by the 2028-29 season, to about $123 million. If the trend continues and the cap keeps going up, the cap could rise to about $150 million by the final year of Pettersson’s contract. Let us look at what his cap would look like over time. Of course, we need to emphasize that salary caps after the 2027-28 season would be estimates, and there is no guarantee the cap would go up every year. Currently, Pettersson’s contract takes up 12.1% of the salary cap.
Season/Projected Salary Cap Projected Percentage of Cap Hit Equivalent Cap Hit to 2025-26 2026-27 ($104M) 11.2% $10.7M 2027-28 ($113.5M) 10.2% $9.8M 2028-29 (~$123M) 9.4% $9M 2029-30 (~$132.5M) 8.8% $8.4M 2030-31 (~$142M) 8.2% $7.8M 2031-32 (~$151.5M) 7.7% $7.4M
Certainly, when we look at this situation from this angle, EP40’s contract looks a lot more palatable. By the time Pettersson is in his 30s, his contract would be more fair, perhaps resembling more of a second-line centre type of salary. Even if Pettersson does not bounce back, it would theoretically be easier to trade out his contract in future offseasons.
The New Management Should Be Willing to Give Him A Fair Chance
If indeed the new management is successful in changing the environment in the locker room, it should translate to better individual performances. Of course, the teammates that Pettersson plays with also matter, but in the end, it is on him to prepare. The Sedins were consistently two of the most prepared athletes on the Canucks, with strong offseason training every year. Preparation has been the thing that both the Sedins and Ryan Johnson have emphasized, and they are ready to emphasize that to every player on the team. Time will tell if Pettersson will fare better under the new management.
GM Ryan Johnson was asked about Pettersson in a recent press conference, in which Johnson talked about his productive conversation with the player.
“I had a great conversation with Petey. I really enjoyed being able to just talk very openly and honestly about my feelings about his process and some of the adversity and some of the challenges, and there’s a lot of them based on the time he’s been here, but I wanted to hear him speak. I wanted him to be able to speak without judgment, that he knew I was there to listen and not to judge, or to allow him just to speak openly and freely. I think the biggest thing, whatever happens here moving forward, is that I just wanted him to know that I was very comfortable with him just being himself.È
“I thought that was very good to establish early. I enjoyed our conversation. It was pleasant and very informational, I think, for both of us, and excited just to move forward. I thought it was a great, you know, 20 minutes, half-hour of just being able to talk without expectations – “I need you to be this, I need you to be that” – it wasn’t that. It was more of what he could understand of how I manage, how I would communicate, and how I intend to treat people in general,” said Johnson.
New head coach Manny Malhotra also commented on Pettersson in his introductory press conference, saying that his goal is to help him find his game, knowing the talent he possesses. It may be easy to write the player off as a bust, but management is dedicated to attempting to right the ship, just as previous management and coaches have tried to do. Given Malhotra’s experience in developing players, it would be wise to see if he can unlock the potential that Pettersson has locked away for the time being.
Who Would Replace Pettersson If He Got Traded?
Another reason why this offseason is not the time and place to trade Pettersson is that the Canucks do not have depth at centre. As it stands, the team’s centre depth consists of Elias Pettersson, Marco Rossi, Filip Chytil (on long-term injured reserve), Teddy Blueger (pending unrestricted free agent), Aatu Raty and Nils Aman (pending UFA). We also know that prospect Braeden Cootes may get an opportunity at the NHL level this season. Perhaps the Canucks would bring in a veteran in Brendan Gallagher, but to put it lightly, the centre depth is thin. Good centres are one of the most coveted positions in the NHL, and it is well-documented how the Canucks struggled to obtain a second-line centre last offseason.
As the Canucks continue to rebuild, they will undoubtedly be able to develop players and draft centres that fit the team. When the Canucks have enough depth to replace Pettersson, or if a young player emerges as a first-line centre option, that is when they should consider trading him.
The Issues Off The Ice Could Also Be Affecting Him
Pettersson was also going through some tough times off the ice, as his wife, Katelyn Byrd, suffered two miscarriages in the span of four months. In an interview with Iain MacIntyre in January, Pettersson said, “As a married guy now, I couldn’t be happier with Katelyn. Obviously, it’s very emotional. It’s not what you expect to happen; you don’t think it’s going to happen to you. It’s tough, but that’s life.” Along with his nagging injuries, it has not been an easy go of it, but these things will heal with time.
While a Pettersson trade could still be in the cards, and management could certainly listen to offers, the Canucks are better off giving the 27-year-old centre some time to play under a new coach and management. That way, there would be a chance that he could rediscover something in his game, building back trust in the fanbase, as well as building the value that has been lost over the last couple of seasons.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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