Elias Pettersson’s name is out there, but Montreal doesn’t sound like a destination he’s eager to entertain.
According to Marco D’Amico, Pettersson reportedly has no interest in playing for the Canadiens, and his no-movement clause makes Canadian markets a tough sell anyway. That puts Montreal in a difficult spot before the conversation even really starts.
Pettersson is still a highly skilled forward, but the fit in Montreal doesn’t look especially natural. He carries an $11.6 million cap hit with nearly six years left on his deal, which is a major commitment for any team considering a move.
D’Amico said fans shouldn’t expect Pettersson to be open to adding the Canadiens to his list of acceptable destinations. In his view, that scenario just doesn’t seem likely.
The no-movement clause gives Pettersson control over where he goes, and it runs through 2032. That kind of leverage matters, especially when the market comes with the kind of pressure Montreal brings. D’Amico suggested the most logical landing spot would be somewhere hockey isn’t the main attraction, which would effectively take Canadian teams out of the picture.
There is still a path for Pettersson to boost his value. D’Amico noted that if he can spend the next several months proving he can still dominate, his trade stock could rise again. He has shown that level before, even if the last few seasons have been rough.
D’Amico also addressed the comparison to Quinn Hughes and said the two situations are not the same. Hughes was in higher demand, had a more manageable contract, and didn’t have a no-movement clause. Pettersson, by contrast, is not drawing the same kind of interest.
For Montreal, the cleaner move may be to keep looking for another option at second-line center.
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