The Vancouver Canucks finished in dead last in the NHL last season, forcing a coaching change. With former AHL head coach Manny Malhotra in charge and Quinn Hughes out the door, more trades could be coming. The Canucks could trade Elias Pettersson this offseason, and Ben Kuzma of The Province thinks that two teams should be in the mix.
“Pressure is on [Detroit Red Wings GM Steve] 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 [Dylan] Larkin. Detroit has approximately US$32 million in salary-cap space, and moving Larkin’s $8.7 million in annual salary opens possibilities,” Kuzma wrote. “One could be to make a pitch for Pettersson.”
The Red Wings are dealing with the trade request of captain and top center Dylan Larkin. He has made that harder by only giving them three teams to deal with, but it is possible he is no longer in Detroit next year. The Canucks could swoop in and offer Pettersson to Detroit if they want to keep pushing for the playoffs.
As for the Los Angeles Kings, Kuzma notes that they are trying to replace the now-retired Anze Kopitar. Quinton Byfield could be their number-one center next year, or they could part with some picks to make Pettersson their top option. Considering they just traded for Artemi Panarin, the rebuild they desperately need isn’t coming soon.
The Canucks have new management and a new coach who should be looking to change the direction. They already got a haul for Hughes and could get another great return from a team for Pettersson. Either the Kings or the Red Wings would be great fits for Pettersson, but he has a no-move clause that could prevent things. The Buffalo Sabres are also a great fit, but would Pettersson want to play there?
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