Could Elias Pettersson Really be on the Move?

Just before the new year came around, Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin dropped what seemed like a bomb regarding his star 26-year-old center Elias Pettersson.

In an interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre, Allvin said, “Anything is possible,” regarding a possible trade for Pettersson.

Vancouver locked Pettersson up to an 8-year, $92.8 million contract worth $11.6 million a year just this past March. Trade protection was included in the contract, but it does not begin until the coming season.

Would Vancouver Really Move Pettersson?

It is hard to imagine a world where a team would move off of a 1C-caliber player at just 26 years old. Pettersson has proven his ability to be not just one of the best players on his team but also one of the best players in the league.

In six seasons with the Canucks, Pettersson has only tallied below 66 points once, and that came during the 2020/21 season; that was shortened to 56 games. Of those 56 games, Pettersson only played in 26 due to an upper-body injury. He managed to score 10 goals and 11 assists (21TP) before getting hurt.

He has a 100+ point season under his belt (102, 2022/23) and is coming off an 89-point season last year.

Before being placed on the IR this season, Pettersson scored 10 goals and earned 18 assists in 34 games.

Vancouver’s current record is 18-12-8, it has 44 points, and it is in possession of the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Despite the fact that Vancouver is right in the thick of things in the West, Sportsnet’s Elliote Friedman has reported that all options are on the table for Vancouver and that they will look into the market for not just Pettersson but also J.T. Miller.

Friedman cites on off-ice feud between the two stars as the reason why a move could be possible.

“While both players have publicly denied the feud — in contrast with statements from captain Quinn Hughes and head coach Rick Tocchet that suggest otherwise — it seems that the organization is looking at drastic moves to kill the noise once and for all.” the Sportsnet staff wrote.

What Would the Return Look Like for Vancouver?

Elliote Friedman has reported that Vancouver would prioritize a center in return for either Pettersson or Miller, amongst other things.

“I believe the team is prioritizing a centre in a return more than the blue line, because obviously they’d be trading a centre if one or both was to go,” Friedman wrote.

Friedman followed by saying he assumed the trade would be a package rather than a swap.

Both players will cost a king’s ransom, but it should be fair to assume Pettersson’s return would be a bit better for Vancouver.

The total package would fully depend on which team makes the possible trade, but a package centered around a center, with a top-4 blue-liner and possible draft compensation following.

The Flyers Need to be All In

The biggest need the Flyers have had for years is a true number-one center. Make no mistake about it; that is not the only need this Flyers team has, but getting that top-line center has been and remains a priority for the Flyers.

Both Pettersson and Miller are surefire number-one centermen and would fill that glaring gap in Philly’s roster easily.

I find it hard to believe that Miller—who has full trade protection—would waive his no-move clause for a trade to the Flyers. That would make Pettersson the best option for the Flyers if they were to take advantage of the situation in Vancouver.

While draft picks are not the only thing the Flyers would need to part with in a potential trade, having six picks in the first two rounds of this draft is key and could make this year the right time to make a big move like a Pettersson trade.

What Would the Flyers Package for Pettersson Look Like?

The Flyers’ biggest obstacle would be their lack of a center of value. Vancouver wants a center in return for Pettersson; who do the Flyers have to offer?

I highly doubt Morgan Frost would move the needle. He is the Flyers’ 2C, but he would likely be a 3C at best in Vancouver. Even if Sean Couturier waived his NMC, I don’t think Vancouver would be interested, not to mention that trading your captain is always tricky.

That leaves prospects and Scott Laughton. Jett Luchakno could be an interesting option, and unless the Flyers could convince Vancouver that Laughton or a different prospect like Denver Barkey or Jack Berglund/Heikki Ruohonen is their guy, which will not happen, Luchanko will be the centering piece.

Flyers have Interesting Defensemen Options

The Flyers’ best bet is if Vancouver is willing to take a defenseman as the centering piece in return, which is possible for Philly. The Flyers have a handful of promising young blue-liners like Jamie Drysdale and Cam York, and prospects Oliver Bonk and Emil Andrae.

Vancouver would need an NHL-ready defenseman, which would remove Bonk from the picture, but Andrae’s early NHL experience could keep him in the conversation. Vancouver would likely pivot and ask about Rasmus Ristolainen and Travis Sanheim.

I can see both players being of interest to the Canucks, with Sanheim holding higher value. However, Sanheim has a no-trade clause that gives him full trade protection until this offseason.

The lack of a top-6 center in return would more than likely mean the Flyers will have to include at least two first-round draft selections. They do not particularly have to be this year’s selections, but it would be ideal for Philly to rip the bandaid off right away and try to use their plethora of 2025 draft selections.

Keep the Future Top-6 in Tact, or Move Whatever it Takes?

The Flyers would likely want to keep Luchanko around, as he will likely be the long-term 2C in Philly. In an ideal world where the Flyers could actually pull off this trade, the Flyers would want Pettersson and Luckahnko down the middle of their top 6.

However, it is Elias Pettersson, so if Jett Luchanko is Allvin’s demand, the Flyers should adjust their potential package accordingly.

At least one, if not two, first-round selections will be involved, and if the Flyers cannot offer up a viable center, Ristolainen and Andrae will likely be an ask.

Though he would not be the centerpiece of the trade package, Frost would likely be on the move as well. Laughton could also be a player Vancouver would want.

The trade would be expensive, but the Flyers would be able to get a long-term solution at 1C, which would be worth it.