Elias Pettersson’s hot start has changed the conversation around him, and fast. What was once a near-automatic push to move him out of Vancouver has shifted, at least for now, into a much more divided debate.
In yesterday’s Canucks Live survey, 60 per cent of voters said the better move was to keep Pettersson and bank on the revival rather than flip him for picks. That’s a notable turn from last year, when every poll on the subject came back as a landslide in favour of dumping the centre.
There’s also a possible trade angle floating around. Hockey insider David Pagnotta has reported that a Pettersson-for-Quinton Byfield swap could become a real possibility.
Pettersson, the centre, looks much closer to the player the Canucks thought they had. He’s been more physical, his work rate has stood out, and he’s producing again with 15 points in 14 games.
He’s been in trade talk ever since his struggles began a couple of seasons ago, and the idea now is that he may be open to finally moving on from Vancouver and into a quieter setting with the Kings. His contract carries an $11.6 million AAV through the 2032 season, and he has a full no-movement clause.
Byfield brings a very different profile. He’s 24, but his season has been rough so far, with only two points in nine games.
The Kings may be willing to put him in the trade conversation, too. He’s on a $6.25 million AAV deal for two more seasons, and he doesn’t have trade protection until the final year of the contract.
The Canucks’ contract picture comes with other moving parts as well. Luke Schenn, who joined the club as a free agent in July, also has a full NMC, though it’s believed he would be open to joining a Stanley Cup contender if that chance came along. Chytil and O’Connor, meanwhile, have no no-trade protection at all.
Vancouver is also among the teams believed to be interested in Washington Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko. He has one more year remaining after this season on his two-year, $1.85 million contract.
With the junior and NCAA seasons now rolling, the draft boards are starting to take shape. Unless a trade changes the picture, it looks like the Canucks are likely to be picking in the top five. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler has already put out his latest draft rankings.
The 2027 class, built mostly around 2009-born players, is led by Canadian standout Landon DuPont, the WHL’s first exceptional-status defenceman, along with what’s being described as the best Russian group in years. The early read here is that the 2027 draft class projects as average to below average overall, largely because the defence crop looks lighter than usual and the forwards appear to be more projectable NHL types than true top-end difference-makers.
In Other News...
Flames Suddenly Have A Crease Problem Dustin Wolf Must Solve
Calgarys goaltending depth chart took an immediate hit after Devin Cooley exited the Oilers game with a collision-related injury, and the Flames have placed him on injured reserve as they brace for a stretch without him. With Cooley sidelined, Dustin Wolf is set to take over as the starter, a shift that puts even more attention on the crease at a time when Calgary is trying to keep its footing.
The club also recalled Arseni Sergeev and William Stromgren from the Wranglers, with Stromgren coming up to fill the opening created by Brennan Othmanns day-to-day injury. The moves give the Flames some short-term roster flexibility, but the more pressing question is how they manage the net while Cooley recovers and Wolf carries the load. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Babcock Just Created An Oilers Decision Flames Fans Will Notice
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That backdrop got more interesting because Babcock has already shown he is willing to make a hard call with Jake Walman, even with a major commitment on the books and a recent injury absence in the picture. For Flames fans watching their provincial rival, it is the kind of decision that can quickly become a talking point, especially when a coach is signaling that no roster spot is guaranteed and every night still has consequences. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Suddenly Face A Crease And Lineup Problem Before Back To Back
The Flames are heading into a busy stretch with a little less certainty than they wanted, after a game in Edmonton left the club juggling both its crease and its forward depth. With back-to-back matchups against Western Conference opponents on deck, Calgary has had to dip into the Calgary Wranglers for some immediate help, adding another layer of pressure to a week that already demanded quick answers.
Dustin Wolf is expected to carry the load in goal, with Arsenii Sergeev brought up to support him, while the forward group also gets a new look with William Strmgren back in the mix. The timing matters because Calgary is not just managing a short-term lineup shuffle, it is also trying to stabilize roles after losing a regular piece up front, and the next two games will show how well the depth chart can absorb that hit. [Read more 🡒]