Canucks Used Potential Trade to Get Elias Pettersson to the Bargaining Table

There's no doubt the Vancouver Canucks would prefer to keep a player like forward Elias Pettersson. The 25-year-old has been a very reliable 20+ and even 30+ goal scorer since breaking into the league, and has been used heavily on the Canucks' penalty kill. Pettersson, who becomes a restricted free agent at the end of this season, had previously said he didn't want to negotiate an extension until the 2023-24 season had ended. Vancouver used a potential trade to get him talking numbers now.

Potential Trade Used to Get Negotiations Started with Elias Pettersson

According to Sportsnet, Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin told Pettersson that if he wasn't willing to negotiate, the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in a trade and the Canucks would continue talks to get something done.

Vancouver GM Got Extension Negotiations with Star Player Started by Using Potential Trade

It's a smart move by Vancouver. Allvin, of course, wants to get one of his best players under a new deal as quickly as possible. As a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Pettersson has a lot of leverage when it comes to negotiations, and was apparently ready to use that leverage to get what he wanted.


Pettersson's current cap hit is $7.35 million per season. Wherever he ends up next season, it's likely to be with a sizeable raise in salary. His change of heart regarding negotiations may also have something to do with the fact that the Vancouver Canucks are having a surprisingly good season, currently sitting first in the Pacific Division with a 10 point lead over the second place Vegas Golden Knights, and 11 points more than the Edmonton Oilers, who currently sit in third.