Insider Proposes Intriguing Scenario On Elias Pettersson Talks

Despite a few recent hiccups, the Vancouver Canucks continue to ride the wave as one of the top teams in the NHL this season, just one point back of the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights for top spot in the Western Conference. 

And Elias Pettersson continues to be top five in scoring, just two points back of the outrageous start of his teammate Quinn Hughes. And while Pettersson's agency (CAA) and the Canucks continue to discuss a potential contract extension, there are still a number of things to work out. 

Elliotte Friedman has laid out an intriguing scenario on what just might be on the table. And it's all about not only this contract, but his next one  as well. Friedman explains:

One of the places I think it could go is 'term.' ... Earlier this year CAA did an extension with Owen Power in Buffalo, and the Sabres wanted 8 years, but the reason it got done is that they were willing to go down to 7 years. And the difference there is that Power would get to sign his next contract at age 29 instead of 30... Pettersson, if he signs a 3-year deal, will next be eligible for an extension the summer before he turns 29. 

I'm not saying it's (for sure) going to be a 3-year term, but it's possible—possible—that Pettersson goes for that area of term instead of (an 8-year deal). 

He also noted Auston Matthews' recently-signed shorter (four-year) deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs as another example of this type of shorter-term thinking to allow for another big contract. 

One week ago, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said they continued to "chip away" at a contract extension for Pettersson, who broke out last year with a 102-point season, and continues to sizzle this season, with 28 points in 19 games. His 3-year, $22M ($7M AAV) contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

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