Canucks Rumors: 3 Potential Trade Destinations for Elias Pettersson

When the Vancouver Canucks traded J.T Miller, one of the many reasons was to allow Elias Pettersson a chance to 'be himself'. Miller was hard on Pettersson and with all the attention it was receiving, things got very dicey in the Canucks' dressing room.

With Miller gone to New York, Pettersson is still struggling and admitted recently he's sick and tired of the media attention in Vancouver. A trade is certainly a possibility before March 7, as Pettersson does not have any trade protection on his contract until this upcoming offseason. Here's three teams who could make a play to acquire the Canucks' center:

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets are very much in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference and have the room to add Pettersson's $11.6 million AAV. He's signed through the 2031-32 season, so this would be a huge commitment to take on for Blue Jackets' GM Don Waddell, but it would also show the fan base he feels the team is closer than many anticipated to being a consistent playoff team. The Blue Jackets have lots of young NHL talent and NHL ready talent in their pipeline to get a deal done, and they have two 2025 first-round picks to choose from as well.

Detroit Red Wings

Steve Yzerman has missed on several free agents and the Red Wings can't seem to get over the hump these past few seasons, so adding a player like Pettersson would be a huge shot in the arm, and a boost to their dressing room. The Wings have $13.6 in deadline cap space so the money could easily work, and they have their first-round pick at this year's draft. They also have done business with the Canucks in the past few seasons so we know the two sides can work out a deal if there's mutual interest.

Chicago Blackhawks

A bit of a wild-card team here, but the Blackhawks aren't happy with how this season has gone. GM Kyle Davidson was hoping year two of the Connor Bedard-era would be competing for a playoff spot, and instead they are destined for the draft lottery. They have the resources to add Pettersson, who could be a solid 2C in Chicago behind Bedard for years to come.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images