Trade chatter around Elias Pettersson is still swirling, but Rick Dhaliwal says Vancouver hasn’t taken the step that would signal a real move is coming.
Posting on X, Dhaliwal wrote, “Lots of Elias Pettersson trade talk but as of now, he has not been asked to waive his no-move clause to go anywhere. Lots of chatter but don’t believe anything is close.”
That’s the key point in all of this. Pettersson’s eight-year, $92.8 million deal includes a full no-movement clause, with an annual cap hit of $11.6 million. Until the Canucks ask him to waive that protection, any destination talk is just that - talk.
The speculation has picked up after a rough 2025-26 season for both Pettersson and the team. He put up 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 74 games, while Vancouver stumbled to a 25-49-8 record and finished last in the Western Conference.
Even with the noise growing louder, there’s no obvious reason for the Canucks to force the issue right now. Pettersson’s trade value is down from the 102-point season he delivered in 2022-23, which makes this a tough moment to chase maximum return.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also kicked around a possible landing spot on his 32 Thoughts Podcast, saying, “Where could you go that could be good for him? I don’t know, I wonder if the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin might be good for him.” That was more about fit than any sign of a deal getting close.
For Vancouver, patience may be the smarter play. General manager Ryan Johnson and hockey operations leaders Daniel and Henrik Sedin inherited a rebuilding club, and a rushed trade would run against the need to add long-term pieces.
If the Canucks do eventually move Pettersson, the return has to help the organization in a real way - prospects, draft picks, and controllable young players. Retaining salary could also widen the market if management believes the package is strong enough.
For now, Dhaliwal’s update is the clearest read on where things stand. There may be interest around the league, but without a waiver request, there’s no meaningful progress. Pettersson remains Vancouver’s highest-paid player and a central part of the rebuild picture, whether he stays or gets dealt later.
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