Blackhawks Rumors: Analyst Urges Chicago To Trade For Elias Pettersson

Monday, January 20, 2025 ,

Mark Lazerus of The Athletic believes the Chicago Blackhawks must "do everything they can" to acquire Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks, arguing that the star playmaker is the perfect complement to Connor Bedard. 

Pettersson, a 26-year-old center with 100-point potential, would not only bolster the Blackhawks' offense but also alleviate the burden on Bedard, who has already produced 102 points in his first 114 NHL games despite limited support. 

With Pettersson signed through 2031-32 at $11.6 million annually, Lazerus believes he aligns with Chicago's timeline for building a competitive team around Bedard.

Lazerus proposes that the Blackhawks could dip into their deep pool of assets, including top prospects Frank Nazar and Kevin Korchinski and Toronto’s first-round pick, to construct a competitive offer for Pettersson. 

While acknowledging the risk of parting with future pieces, he argues that the opportunity to acquire a proven star is worth the price. 

“Nazar might be good. Korchinski might be good. The No. 20-something pick might be good. Pettersson is great. And he’s great now,” Lazerus writes, urging the Blackhawks to seize the chance to pair Bedard with another game-changing player before Pettersson’s no-movement clause takes effect in July.

Though Pettersson alone wouldn’t make the Blackhawks instant contenders, his presence would definitely accelerate their rebuild and provide a stable foundation for future success. 

Bedard has already proven he can deliver results with minimal help, but Lazerus emphasizes the need for additional elite talent to truly transform the team. 

“They won’t ever get there with just one star,” he asserts, calling on Blackhawks management to act boldly while they have the cap space and assets to secure Pettersson and accelerate the franchise’s rebuild.

Photo Credit:  Bob Frid-Imagn Images



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