Canucks Rumors: Could Hurricanes Reignite Interest in Elias Pettersson?

Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News recently explored the possibility of the Carolina Hurricanes revisiting trade talks for Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. 

Last season, the Hurricanes were reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Pettersson, offering a package that included two roster players, a first-round pick, and a top prospect. 

Those talks ultimately fell through when Pettersson signed an eight-year, $92.8 million extension. However, new reports of tension between Pettersson and teammate J.T. Miller—described by Elliotte Friedman as a growing rift—have created a significant distraction for the Canucks. 

Henkel suggested that this unrest could provide Carolina an opportunity to make another attempt at landing the dynamic center.

Since last season's All-Star break, Elias Pettersson only has 16 goals and 57 points in 79 games.

Pettersson and Miller need to step up their on-ice play, or else the #Canucks are at risk of wasting an MVP-calibre season by Quinn Hughes:https://t.co/c9teazfzwa

— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) December 23, 2024

Acquiring Pettersson would not come without hurdles. Carolina would need to clear substantial cap space to accommodate his $11.6 million annual average value while also constructing a trade package that meets Vancouver’s likely high demands. 

Henkel noted that last season’s rumored offer included Martin Necas and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, though Necas’s breakout year with 44 points in 34 games may make him untouchable. 

Kotkaniemi remains a potential trade chip, but Henkel speculated that players like Andrei Svechnikov could also enter the conversation, though he doubts Carolina would part with Svechnikov given his importance to their lineup’s size and physicality.

With discontent reportedly growing in Vancouver between two of their top players, the Carolina Hurricanes should look to revisit trade talks surrounding Elias Pettersson. | @TheHockeyNews ⬇️ https://t.co/IPad5wZpTU

— Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) December 22, 2024

Henkel argued that a move for Pettersson could transform Carolina’s roster and elevate their contention window, likening it to Florida’s acquisition of Matthew Tkachuk, which involved significant sacrifices but resulted in a Stanley Cup. 

“If you’re not at least poking around at this point, what are you even doing?” Henkel wrote, emphasizing the rarity of elite players like Pettersson becoming available. 

For the Hurricanes, the risk might be worth the potential reward of pairing Pettersson with Sebastian Aho to create a formidable one-two punch down the middle.

Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images