The NHL trade rumor mill is heating up, and the Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson is right in the middle of it all. With just 40 days until the trade deadline, things are getting interesting.
The Buffalo Sabres have emerged as serious contenders in the Pettersson sweepstakes. Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman dropped that bombshell during Saturday Headlines, noting that while several teams are calling, Buffalo’s interest is particularly strong.
It’s a bit surprising, considering Pettersson has said he wants to stay in Vancouver. But that hasn’t stopped teams from trying.
The money doesn’t seem to be an issue for Buffalo. According to Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has gotten the green light from ownership to pursue the talented Swedish forward.
Here’s where it gets really interesting.
The Canucks aren’t just going to give away their star player cheaply. They’re reportedly asking for quite a package from Buffalo – specifically Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram. They’ve also got their eyes on Owen Power, the first overall pick from 2021.
That’s a pretty steep asking price, but Pettersson’s worth it. The 25-year-old Swede has been lighting it up this season.
Earlier this month, there were whispers that Vancouver was testing the waters with both Pettersson and J.T. Miller. But while Miller’s name has cooled off a bit, Pettersson remains the hot topic.
The Sabres are looking more and more like a real possibility for Pettersson’s next destination. But with several weeks to go before the deadline, anything could happen.
This could be one of those trades that reshapes both franchises for years to come. The question is: will Buffalo pay Vancouver’s asking price?
