As the Vancouver Canucks look to retool their roster, speculation has begun to grow surrounding the availability of forward Elias Pettersson. Speaking on Sportsnet’s Canucks Central last week, Frank Seravalli reported that the Detroit Red Wings are one of the interested teams if Vancouver becomes serious about moving Pettersson.
The news follows a report from last week indicating that the Canucks are willing to consider offers for Pettersson, although they are not yet actively committed to trading him. Regardless, given the multiple hurdles present in his contract, trading Pettersson would be one of the most complicated in-season trades to manufacture, and is likely better suited for an offseason move.
In our write-up, PHR’s Ethan Hetu clearly articulated these hurdles, saying, “Pettersson’s situation is quite a bit more complicated. First and foremost, the full no-move clause on his $11.6MM AAV deal gives the player and his representatives (led by CAA’s Pat Brisson) full control over where he is dealt to. Pettersson needs to sign off on any trade before it can be completed.”
Still, of all the competitive teams this season, the Red Wings are one of the few that could add Pettersson’s large cap hit outright. Additionally, given their success with Swedish players for the last three decades, Pettersson may be more apt to sign off on a trade to HockeyTown.
Pettersson’s fit in Detroit’s lineup is less obvious. Even with a return to his 2022-23 form, there’s no chance he’d usurp Dylan Larkin as the Red Wings’ top center, meaning he would become one of, if not the highest-paid, second-line center in the league. Throughout the past two years with Vancouver, Pettersson has scored 28 goals and 74 points in 104 games played, whereas Larkin has registered 54 goals and 114 points in 132 contests.
This season, the team has been utilizing Andrew Copp to center their second forward unit. Although he’s been best used as a third-line center for most of his career, he’s been one of the league’s top scorers for over a month. Since the calendar turned to December, Copp has scored seven goals and 21 points in 24 games with a 51.2% faceoff percentage, giving Detroit a formidable duo in their top six.
Furthermore, and what is the most important point for Detroit specifically, is that General Manager Steve Yzerman has historically held his cards very close to the vest. Given that there have been very few leaks coming from the Red Wings organization since Yzerman took over, a larger grain of salt must be consumed when Detroit is tied to a particular player. Still, given their lack of moves at recent trade deadlines and current spot in the standings, it would make a ton of sense for the Red Wings to take a shot or two leading up to this year’s deadline.
Please no
Seconded
The Red Wings have the draft capital and young players that the Canucks covet to get him. The only thing is the Canucks are going have to take on at least half of that exorbitant salary.
Canucks are not keeping half like if Pete is maybe 8 or 7 mill fine but not half cause then you have to give up your best young player
They might give up a couple million per year but likely no more
Risky player to acquire.
He will be a St. Louis Blue in 6 months. Whatever top pick they end up with, they will trade it to VAN for Petterson
If Petersson returns to form, he is 100% better than Larkin. Not sure why the author is so high on Larkin here. Larkin is like Logan Couture was – an outstanding 2C who has to play 1C because a true 1C isn’t available.
Larkin as a forced 1C made me spit out a little coffee laughing. look how each went in the 4NFO. Larkin on a star studded deep USA team ends up on the first line being compared to Matthew’s while EP40 has what, 0 points on SWE? Larkin as the immensely better two-way player, not surprised “devil” guy only looks at points. Only two metrics EP40 takes are wasted points per game and somuchdramabetweenyouandtheotherstaryourwholeorganizationimplodes%
And that’s all without even starting to compare contracts lmao oh brother
He’s -100 on his career dude, calm down.
If you could do a comparison for me – compare the career of Dylan Larkin to Nazem Kadri. I’m intrigued to hear how they stack up against each other in your mind. Try to stick to the point and not get your feelings hurt in the process.
I would imagine you have Patrik Laine being a super star too based on what he did 3- 5 years ago. Petey is 3 yrs removed from a 100pt season and has been no way near that mark since. He is projected for about 60 pts this year. He isn’t even worth Larkin’s cap hit, let alone his current play.
Come on dude, read the comment. It clearly says “if [he] returns to form”. The main article said even if he returns to his 100 point form he wouldn’t unseat Larkin as 1C which is the line I think is comical.
Sorry, “if” has not happened and I prefer to stay in the real world.
I bet you are fun at parties.
How ironic
-100 on the career who wouldn’t be after going through the 2016 to post covid wings. Where the top draft talent was *checks notes* Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno? Going for Kadri you’re doing what big Johnny Z pointed out you’re focused on who has the better single season peaks, not who has the overall better game. Not to mention Kadri highest point year was with Mikko, Makar, and MacKinnon. It’s just nuts you’re so high on EP40 pending “ifs”.
I bet you don’t remember most of your parties!
Datsyuk never even scored 100 points in a single season is EP40 better than him?? !
“100% better than Larkin” is beyond hyperbole.
Still waiting on any of the Larkin apologists to show clearly that he is better than Logan Couture or Nazem Kadri… or is everyone just going to rant and rave?
First address your “100% better comment” and then we’ll deal with those other questions.
That wasn’t your original argument. All three of them are better than Pettersson because they care what happens in the defensive zone and don’t take multiple shifts off during a game. Why would anyone want that from a 1C?? Like what was said above — Datsyuk never had a 100-point season like EP and he’s in the HoF. That’s because he was a COMPLETE player. Larkin isn’t one of the best centers in the NHL but if you seriously think you’d rather have the 2022-23 version of EP in the trenches for you come playoff time over current Larkin you need to completely reassess how you view the game.
Already said it’s the same with Kadri as EP40 what do you mean waiting on a Larkin apologist. if you want to bank on getting 2021-2022 Kadri come playoffs (if he doesn’t get suspended!) you gotta reconsider how you gauge players. Feeling that wall behind your back yet?
So nobody is going to use statistics? Like factual information? Advanced stats? Regular stats? 1000 games of actual evidence? Yikes, far be it from me to question your faith with evidence.
Here’s some actual evidence: In the last 5 years Larkin has scored 150 goals compared to 133 for EP. Now if 133 is 100% better than 150, then we have some fuzzy math going on.
This would officially give them the status of the Stockholm Red Wings.
Why not? Canucks store is open & they apparently have no idea how to negotiate- to the point where Conroy in Calgary make Rutherford look foolish – so get in while the goings good…
Definitely they’ll have to retain part of his salary. Need a top 4 blueliner too
Wings need the D-man more than Petey.
If Compher can be traded to Van, then not much of Petey’s salary would have to be retained. Compher has a 10-team NTC, and likely Van is on it.
I mean…if the Canucks are willing to take Kasper, Rasmussen, and a second round draft pick for Pettersen at full freight, sure.
If the Canucks come to them and say we want what you were going to offer for Quinn Hughes, then you laugh at them and make fun of Alvin’s big bald head.
My suggestion was going to be Copp, Compher, and Kaspar for Pettersson
These days, Petterson is a softer version of Lucas Raymond. If he could be the guy he was a couple years ago it might make some sense but his D is atrocious these days and allegedly he has attitude problems too. I think the Wings should stay focused on finding a top 4 Dman which would really give them a boost.
Besides that the Wings could really use some Russians. Didn’t they learn anything from Fedorov & Datsyuk ??
They should kick the tires on Braedon Schneider.
Pettersson is a skilled, But small, And very soft center, I guarantee, In a playoff series, He will absolutely disappear.
I would rather the Wings trade for Robert Thomas instead. Makes more sense on many different levels.
He’s a legit top two center. Imagine him centering DeBrincat & Kane.
Don’t leave out the Utah Mammoth who also have the assets to complete a trade for EP.
link to stadiumrant.com
Stats are facts for sure. But this is a team sport and anyone is subject to the effectiveness of the team around them. No one, Larkin or Pettersson, are able to generate their stats without the surrounding players. Don’t get lost in the stats they are but one aspect of team sports, that’s where the “he needed a change of scenery” trades come from. Stay tuned, what will be will be.
I remember a time last summer when people were bashing John Gibson before he left Anaheim, Just recently Detroit became the 4th fastest team to record 30 victories, Just behind Colorado, Carolina, And Tampa Bay.
I have to admit, I was not impressed with Gibson’s early performances in Detroit. Talbot seemed to be sharper with some real highlight reel saves. Of late, especially last night, he seemed to have a lot of holes. I am very certain he would like to have 2 of those goals back, deservedly so. Ah but then there is the lapses out front too so they need some work. As TM said, you can’t tap the brakes…..like they did after going ahead 3-2. 31 seconds later its tied. Unacceptable mind mush in a critical moment after scoring.
ZERO chance he waives to go to Detroit