Elias Pettersson Trade Chatter Heats Up Again - But Is Buffalo the Right Fit?
Elias Pettersson’s name is back in the rumor mill - and let’s be honest, it never really left. The Vancouver Canucks star forward has been at the center of trade buzz for a couple of seasons now, and with the Canucks sitting dead last in the standings, the noise is only getting louder as we approach the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
A year ago, there was some chatter about a potential Pettersson-for-Dylan Cozens swap between Vancouver and Buffalo. That deal never came to life, and instead, the Sabres moved Cozens to Ottawa in a package that brought back Josh Norris.
But Norris, talented as he is, has struggled to stay healthy. He’s only suited up for 19 games this season, missing significant time due to multiple injuries - including an upper-body issue that sidelined him for nearly two months after the season opener.
Now, with Norris once again on the shelf and Buffalo looking to solidify their top six, the Pettersson rumors are circling back. According to Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff, the Sabres are among eight teams that could be in the mix for the 27-year-old Swedish center.
Why Buffalo Could Make Sense for Pettersson
On paper, the fit is intriguing. Pettersson brings a two-way game and high-end offensive upside - exactly the kind of player who could elevate a team that’s teetering on the edge of playoff contention. As Larkin pointed out, Buffalo isn’t locked into a postseason spot just yet, so targeting a player with term rather than a short-term rental makes sense.
And Pettersson has term - six years remaining on an eight-year, $92.8 million deal. That kind of commitment gives Buffalo a long-term building block, but it also comes with serious cap implications. The Sabres would need to do some financial maneuvering to make it work, especially with several core players already signed to long-term deals.
This season, Pettersson has tallied 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 46 games - a noticeable dip from his peak production, when he posted a combined 191 points across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The question for any team, including Buffalo, is whether that drop-off is a blip or a trend.
If the Sabres believe Pettersson can return to his elite form, he could be a game-changer. But that belief would need to be rock solid, because acquiring him wouldn’t come cheap.
What Would It Cost?
Vancouver’s asking price is expected to be steep - and rightfully so. Even with his recent dip in scoring, Pettersson is still a top-line center with a proven track record.
Larkin suggested that any deal would likely start with a top prospect like Konsta Helenius or Jiri Kulich (currently out with a blood clot), plus a first-round pick. That’s a hefty price tag, especially for a team like Buffalo that’s finally starting to see its rebuild bear fruit.
There’s also the matter of cap space. Adding Pettersson’s $11.6 million AAV would probably require the Sabres to send out a significant contract in return.
Norris, given his injury issues and cap hit, is the most obvious candidate. But there’s no guarantee another team would be eager to take on that risk.
Defenseman Bowen Byram is another name floated as a possible trade chip, but again, that’s a big piece to move.
Kekalainen’s Dilemma: Swing Big or Stay the Course?
Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is walking a tightrope. On one hand, he wants to strengthen the roster.
On the other, he doesn’t want to disrupt the chemistry of a team that’s gone 20-3-1 in its last 24 games and climbed all the way to third in the Atlantic Division. This is a group that’s finally clicking, and winger Alex Tuch didn’t mince words when he said the team is chasing a Stanley Cup.
So while the idea of adding Pettersson is exciting - and on paper, he’s exactly the kind of player who could push Buffalo over the top - the reality is more complicated. This likely isn’t the time for a blockbuster.
Kekalainen may instead look to add a couple of rentals: a depth defenseman and a forward to bolster the power play. That way, the Sabres can reinforce the roster without sacrificing key pieces or future assets.
The only scenario where a Pettersson trade might gain traction is if Vancouver is willing to take Norris as part of the return. That would at least help balance the books, but it still leaves plenty of questions about the rest of the package - and whether the Canucks would bite.
Bottom Line
Pettersson to Buffalo? It’s a fun idea.
The fit makes sense in theory, and the Sabres have the young talent to make it happen. But between the cap gymnastics, the high asking price, and Buffalo’s current momentum, this feels more like a long shot than a likely deadline move.
Still, it’s a sign of where the Sabres are as a franchise. For years, they were the team trading away stars.
Now, they’re in the conversation to acquire one. Whether or not a Pettersson deal materializes, that shift in perception is a win in itself.