"Just not good business" - NHL insider highlights key reason why Elias Pettersson is unlikely to be traded by Canucks

On Friday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared why Vancouver is unlikely to trade Elias Pettersson this offseason. According to Friedman, the Canucks will only consider moving Pettersson if the return solves their biggest issue: depth at center.

"I just feel Vancouver is only trading Elias Pettersson if it helps solve their center problem," Friedman said (59:29), via the "32 Thoughts" podcast. "That’s the only way I see them doing it."

Vancouver is not expected to re-sign center Pius Suter, who scored 25 goals this season. The team feels the market will price Suter out of its plans. They may see Filip Chytil, acquired in a midseason trade, as either its third-line center or a top-six winger. However, that leaves a gap if Pettersson is moved.

"Everybody knows they're out on Pius Suter — the market’s going to price him out, and Vancouver doesn’t want to go there," Friedman said. "Ideally, I think they see Filip Chytil as either their 3C or a top-six winger. So, if they move Pettersson and can’t address the other holes on the roster, they don’t think it makes any sense.

"They’ve made it clear that unless the deal helps them plug those gaps, it’s just not good business. That’s where it stands right now."

Pettersson is coming off the worst season of his career. He scored 15 goals and 30 assists in 64 games, and finished with a -10 rating. Pettersson missed the final 12 games due to an oblique injury. It was his first season under his eight-year $92.8 million contract extension signed in March 2024.

Elias Pettersson is spending more time getting stronger in the offseason

Elias Pettersson blamed knee tendinitis for slowing his offseason training last year. He plans to stay in Vancouver longer this summer before heading to Sweden, a change that team management supports.

Pettersson also admitted that he needs to get stronger.

"Strength doesn't come easy for me," Pettersson said in April, via NHL.com. "I didn't get the best genetics from the parents. I'm going to take this time to take advantage of the extra month of training to come in great for next season.

" … I'm not perfect. I'm trying to be, but it’s been a lot of adversity this year. I'm always trying to believe I can grow from it."

Part of the adversity Pettersson faced included a strained relationship with former teammate J.T. Miller. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers in January, and replacing his scoring was a big challenge.

Despite all the questions about the Canucks' roster, trading Pettersson seems unlikely, and he is expected to stay.