Is Elias Pettersson Untouchable?
It’s only a matter of time before Vancouver goes into tank mode. It’s already been reported that a Bo Horvat trade is on the horizon. But what about Elias Pettersson? With just one more year to go on his current contract, would the Canucks consider parting with Pettersson if the right offer comes through?
Apparently, not. Based on a report from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Pettersson is the ONLY untouchable on the Canucks roster as they head into the deadline.
“They have indicated that they have one untouchable and that is (Elias) Pettersson,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts segment during the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada. “Now you know what everybody’s going to start to say: What does that mean for Quinn Hughes? What I was told is that the Canucks have said it would take an absolutely mammoth offer (to acquire Hughes). This is not something they’re looking to do; it would take a mammoth offer for them to part ways with the tremendous young defenceman.”
“The best I can sense is that J.T. Miller’s contract is worth $56 million,” Friedman said. “I just don’t think they want to go over that for Horvat, and his year is putting him over that.”
In terms of Pettersson, you can understand why the Canucks don’t want to trade him. I wouldn’t deal Pettersson either. Pettersson, 24, is clearly the Canucks best player notching 34 points in 29 games this year. Pettersson is their most consistent goal scorer and if you trade him you may as well tear the entire thing down.
The fact that Quinn Hughes might be available is really eye-opening. Would the Devils make a play to pair all three Hughes brothers together? Now that’s a thought.
