If the Vancouver Canucks are truly entering a new phase - one that includes parting ways with cornerstone defenseman Quinn Hughes - then it’s fair to ask: who else might be on the move? And if Elias Pettersson becomes available, should the Montreal Canadiens be the team to make the call?
It’s a bold idea, no doubt. But it’s also one rooted in logic, especially when you look at Montreal’s long-standing need for a true second-line center.
Nick Suzuki has the top-line role locked down, but behind him, it’s been a revolving door of young players and stopgap options. Oliver Kapanen has shown promise, but on a playoff-caliber team, he’s more likely a third-line pivot.
Elias Pettersson would immediately elevate the Habs’ center depth, giving them two legitimate scoring lines - something they haven’t had in years.
And the timing? Surprisingly, it might be just right.
Pettersson’s eight-year, $11.6 million contract once looked like a long-term commitment Vancouver would build around. But if the Canucks are shifting gears - whether that’s shedding salary, retooling, or going for a full reset - that contract becomes less of an anchor and more of a potential trade chip. It’s not an easy deal to move, but it’s not immovable either, especially if the return helps jumpstart a new direction.
Why Montreal Might Take the Swing
From the Canadiens’ perspective, the contract is hefty, but it’s not out of character for GM Kent Hughes to take a calculated risk on a high-upside player. He’s shown a willingness to bet on talent - sometimes with mixed results - but Pettersson still brings enough to the table to warrant serious consideration.
He’s not the same player who inked that big deal in Vancouver, but he’s still capable of producing at a high level. More importantly, he fits the Canadiens’ timeline.
He’s in his prime, and his skill set would complement Montreal’s emerging core - guys like Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov. This wouldn’t be a short-term patch.
It would be a foundational move aimed at accelerating the rebuild without abandoning it.
The Cost - and the Caution
Now, here’s where things get tricky. The price.
A package centered around prospects like Owen Beck and Adam Engstrom, plus a first-round pick, is a lot - but not unreasonable. Montreal has built up depth, particularly on the left side of the blue line, and could afford to part with some of it. But if the conversation shifts toward higher-end pieces - names like Michael Hage or Oliver Kapanen - then the Canadiens would need to think long and hard.
Pettersson is a talented player, but he’s also an expensive one. And there’s no guarantee that a change of scenery would bring him back to his peak form.
That’s the gamble. If he regains his confidence and finds chemistry in Montreal, it’s a home run.
If not, it’s a long-term cap commitment that could stall the team’s progress.
The No-Move Clause Factor
There’s also the matter of Pettersson’s no-move clause. He would have to approve any deal, and that means buying into what Montreal is building.
The Canadiens are trending in the right direction, but they’re not a finished product. Pettersson would need to be all-in - not just on the hockey side, but on the pressure and spotlight that comes with playing in Montreal.
That’s no small ask. Vancouver isn’t exactly a quiet market, but Montreal is a different beast.
The scrutiny, the expectations, the media attention - it’s relentless. Pettersson would need to embrace that challenge, and that’s not a given.
Bottom Line
There’s a lot to like about the idea of Elias Pettersson in a Canadiens sweater. He fills a glaring need, aligns with the team’s competitive window, and could be the kind of move that signals Montreal is ready to take the next step.
But it’s not a slam dunk. The price has to be right.
The fit has to be mutual. And the Canadiens have to be sure they’re not sacrificing too much of their future for a player who, while still talented, comes with questions.
Still, in a league where elite centers rarely hit the market, opportunities like this don’t come around often. If Vancouver is truly open for business, Montreal would be wise to at least pick up the phone.