The NHL trade market is roaring back to life as the 2026 Winter Olympic men’s hockey tournament wraps up, and the Vancouver Canucks are once again dominating the rumor mill. According to a recent report from Canucks insider Ben Kuzma, the Chicago Blackhawks have emerged as a legitimate landing spot for star center Elias Pettersson.
For a rebuilding Chicago squad looking to insulate Connor Bedard, adding a true No. 2 center is a massive priority. While a Pettersson trade seems shocking on the surface, the Blackhawks hold a significant trump card: they possess the sheer cap space necessary to absorb his $11.6 million contract outright. Very few teams in the NHL can make that claim without needing Vancouver to retain salary or take back a bad contract.
However, Kuzma correctly notes that the primary pieces Chicago can offer are prospects and draft picks. For a Canucks management group staring down an immediate hole down the middle if Pettersson is moved, futures don’t provide a short-term fix. Yet, from a pure asset standpoint, the Blackhawks are perfectly positioned to outbid the market.
What a Chicago Blackhawks Trade Package for Elias Pettersson Looks Like
From my perspective watching this Canucks rebuild fluctuate, Vancouver has to prioritize high-end centers coming back if they move a franchise pillar like Pettersson. While the immediate NHL-ready replacement might not be there in Chicago’s system, the raw talent is undeniable.
If Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson wants to pry Pettersson out of British Columbia, the trade package would likely center around these key pieces:
- The Roster Piece: Oliver Moore. Vancouver will demand a high-ceiling center, and Frank Nazar is offlimits so Moore’s playmaking and potential fits the bill.
- The Draft Capital: Chicago’s 2026 1st Round Pick. This is their most powerful trade chip and an absolute must for Vancouver to jumpstart their reset.
- The Prospect: Sacha Boisvert or Artyom Levshunov. While Levshunov might be deemed untouchable by Chicago, Vancouver will push hard for a blue-chip defensive prospect.
- Salary Offset: Jason Dickinson or Andreas Athanasiou. These veterans could help balance the books for Chicago, though Vancouver is clearly more interested in the futures.
There is one massive roadblock that will dictate this entire scenario: Elias Pettersson holds a full No-Trade Clause (NTC). He holds all the cards and would have to explicitly approve a trade to the Blackhawks. Would he be willing to waive his NTC to join a rebuilding team, even if it means playing alongside Bedard? That remains the ultimate wild card in these negotiations.
Finding the Latest Vancouver Canucks News
As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, the rumor mill is only going to get crazier. If you want to stay ahead of the curve on finding the latest Vancouver Canucks news, be sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks. While you’re here, check out how to watch the Canucks game on TV today, and don’t forget to join our NHL Playoff Hockey Pool for cash prizes! It’s the perfect way to add some extra excitement to the postseason. Sign up for our newsletter below so you never miss a rumor.
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