NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2025
Check out the latest trade speculation about Canucks center Elias Pettersson plus the latest on the Bruins, Oilers and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MORE PETTERSSON SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at four clubs that might be best-positioned to acquire Elias Pettersson if the Vancouver Canucks decide to trade the 26-year-old center.
Dixon noted the Carolina Hurricanes were in talks with the Canucks about Pettersson last season before he signed his current contract. He noted the Canucks prefer a center-for-center swap but the Hurricanes aren’t parting with Sebastian Aho. Dixon wondered if the conversation could shift to Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis or promising defense prospect Alexander Nikishin.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That trade won’t happen this season because the Hurricanes lack the cap space to take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million annual cap hit. And no, the Canucks won’t retain half of it. They don’t want $5.8 million in dead cap space on their books for the next seven years. Such a deal would have to wait until this summer when the Hurricanes will have over $27 million in cap space under a projected $92.4 million cap for 2025-26.
Dixon believes the Buffalo Sabres should be a no-brainer. They’re an Eastern Conference club, which works if the Canucks prefer moving Pettersson outside of the Western Conference. The Sabres also have plenty of young pieces at center and on defense to entice the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dylan Cozens to Vancouver, anyone? Elliotte Friedman spitballed a package offer of Cozens and Bowen Byram last month. The Sabres also have the cap space this season to take on Pettersson’s full cap hit. Pettersson might not be keen about going to Buffalo but his lack of no-trade protection this season gives the Canucks the leeway to send him wherever they want.
The Anaheim Ducks might be able to offer up the best deal. Maybe they can put together a blockbuster offer that includes Trevor Zegras. The Ducks can also easily afford Pettersson’s contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will likely want someone other than Zegras as his stock has declined over the last two years. They could ask for Leo Carlsson or Mason McTavish in a package deal for Pettersson.
Dixon believes the Minnesota Wild have long needed a first-line center to drive their offense. Marco Rossi’s name has come up in the rumor mill. Dixon suggests Rossi could become a trade candidate if he and general manager Bill Guerin fail to agree to a new contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guerin recently said he’s not shopping Rossi, a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer. However, the Wild lack sufficient cap space to acquire Pettersson this season. They’ll have over $18 million under a projected $92.5 million cap but Pettersson’s contract would eat up a big chunk of it. Guerin could also be reluctant to add an expensive player like Pettersson when franchise player Kirill Kaprizov is due for a hefty raise in 2026.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports industry sources claim the New York Islanders are among the teams calling the Canucks expressing interest in Pettersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way that works is if the Islanders free up considerable cap space before the trade deadline. That would mean moving a high-salaried player like Mathew Barzal, which isn’t happening, especially if the Canucks are on his 22-team no-trade list. Bo Horvat is a former Canuck but he may have put those years behind him and could be unwilling to waive his no-trade clause.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ken Campbell believes the worst thing the Canucks could do is trade Pettersson or J.T. Miller. He doubts they’d get equal value in return and whatever they do get won’t help them in the short or long term. Campbell believes the best solution is for Pettersson and Miller to work out their differences.
LATEST FROM TSN’S INSIDERS
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is open for business. They have some free-agent players (like Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau) who could be in play.
Dreger said they plan to map out a strategy that takes them up to the March 7 trade deadline, unless they receive an offer that makes sense to them beforehand.
Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman is making preliminary calls around the league. He intends to add a defenseman before the trade deadline, hoping to ensure the Oilers have sufficient depth should injuries strike their blueline.
It’s assumed they could pursue a right-shot shutdown defenseman like David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens. However, they’re also comfortable dealing for a left-shot blueliner.
Speaking of the Canadiens, LeBrun said GM Kent Hughes isn’t going to get carried away by his club’s recent improvement. He let pending free-agent center Jake Evans know that the club wants to re-sign him. However, Evans’ career year could be the 28-year-old center’s best chance to hit a home run in the free-agent market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie said earlier this week that he believes the two sides will get a deal done. However, LeBrun indicated the New Jersey Devils are among the clubs interested in Evans if the Canadiens shop him before the trade deadline.
Brain dead Dubas doesn’t put in a claim on Sprong!
How can a GM not see that Sprong in Nieto out for a measly $35 K (balance of the season) extra in Cap space ; is an easy and free (acquisition cost) gain for Pens?
I am expecting Dubas to trade his best D-man; and once again lose in the trade; and for Pens again to suffer from that move.
Pens are a Rightie D-man acquisition; AND a proper ice-time (including a couple of Pens waived in Lieu of WBS players up) allocation away from a fair shot at playoffs.
The RD acquisition is the only thing not in Pens’ full control.
We only need a 3rd pairing NHL RD ; and not any in demand top-4 RD’s.
Almost any NHL RD will do
8787 I was intrigued by Sprong when the Canucks signed him last summer, but I quickly became fully disappointed. Whatever “it” is, Sprong just doesn’t have it anymore.
Well I want my curtains back
You need to see what Nieto marches out there every game
No contest, Sprong is faster, better hands, better production, better defensively
8787 (Pengy’s cousin?) Because someone more qualified to be a GM than any of us on this page (regardless of your opinion of his qualifications and/or decision-making skills) doesn’t see any value in reacquiring this particular player to replace Nieto, despite your insistence. I do not agree with everything Dubas has done regarding the roster, but heaven help Pens fans everywhere if they did everything that you suggest.
With you re NHL GMs should definitely be making far better decisions (overall) than any of us here continue to spout.
Many of mind or whims, hopes, prayers.
But you can’t possibly believe Nieto is better than Sprong
I can, for one.
And maybe the guy is – generally – a prick to be around, which would account for his frequent availability. You want to chance that?
🤣
One day late huh George
Yeah … but inevitable. 🙂
Kind of unfair George. If they have 2 arms / legs and eyeballs 8787 / Pengy is thinking it’s a perfect fit.
Elias Pettersson,
is coming back from injury today Friday
I think he is Traded out by Monday-Tuesday
they dont want to trade him to a team in the West…
That make Bufalo the Favorite landing spot in the East with what the canucks want
Canucks want a Centre Similar age
and a d/man in return.
Cousins and Power or…? total salary $15.45M
for
Pettersson $11.8M
so they need to find need to find at least $3.M
to make it work…
$3.2M Dakota Joshua❓
Or
$3.25M Carson Soucy ❓
Petey, Garland and a ’25 and ’26 2nds for Laffy and Zib (1.5M retained) and a ’25 1st top 10 protected.
Canucks don’t want Zib. Canucks fans don’t want them to trade anymore 1st round picks, unless it’s a slam dunk. Finally, Garland is worth much more than you are suggesting.
Did any other team claim him 8787?
Oh yeah, they didn’t.
I guess every GM is brain dead.
It’s Sprong, who cares.
I told you he would chime in when Sprong went on waivers. There’s obviously a reason why this guy can’t last anywhere he goes.
I was dead wrong about Sprong, I wanted him this summer as he cost peanuts but has a record of scoring.
Certainly not saying Sprong should by taken by all teams; or many teams ; or even any OTHER team
All I was saying is that Sprong is far superior to Nieto; no cost in trade to acquire; and costs only $35 K more (balance of the year) in Cap space
The only rationale reason I can think that Dubas had in passing on him is that Pens are already at 49/50 available spots and our absolute need is for an RD; and Dubas needs that 1 free spot in case an RD becomes available.
If that was Dubas’ rationale; I apologize
I agree that unless Marchand agrees to a trade Bruins don’t trade him but if he would accept what about sending him to Penguins so that he could play with Crosby for a playoff run and then resign him in the summer. I know Penguins would need more help than Marchand but he would definitely help the Penguins. The return could be something like Bunting and Mcgroarty .
Ya MB4, Marchand would be the best chip of the UFA’s if he decided he wanted to chase a cup. His call, not sure what he will do in that situation if it arises. Sweeney might wait for him to ask vs asking him.
Coyle with this year and next left will also have value, he can play a key shut down C role for a contender. He’s good at it.
Depends what Sweeney is thinking, if they continue to play this poorly, he will be selling. The question is how deep does he go?
Have to think teams would line up for Carlo due to shortage of to 4 RD’s out there. But if you do that, now we are starting to talk about a major surgery as we have no replacement for him.
Ray
Yes. Coyle used in his proper role is a great chip but his full NMC. Will hurt in moving him out if that is indeed what they wanted to do. Can you imagine Coyle as 3rd line ctr for leafs Perfect fit even a return to wild would be great fit for wild
Mrbruin4, after seeing them get burnt in the UFA market this year, I Don t see them going the same route! Lindholm with 22 points has been horrible,and Zadorov looks like a misplaced missile
running around with his head cut off!
Sr
The 2 ufas are currently not working as they thought that is true but most applauded their signings. So unlike last year when most over achieved this year pretty much all have under achieved
Every season there are surprises but I wonder if this year has more than most:
The decline of the Rangers, the face plant of Nashville, the soap opera drama of the Canucks, the seemingly endless futility of the Sabres (maybe not so surprising), the competitiveness of the Blue Jackets and the Pens, the resurgence of the Capitals are on my “surprise” list.
Have I forgotten any?
LJ, I would rank the Habs right up there with Columbus as a surprise – the Blue Jackets (7-2-1) and Montreal (8-2-0) are the two hottest teams in the East over the past 10, and in both cases that is further strengthened when you look at some of the teams they have defeated in those streaks.
These are the good old days
Yeah, the last several weeks have been a treat for Habs fans. But as we all know a ten game stretch isn’t a season. I am with Kent Hughes, the Habs haven’t done anything yet.
But boy, the Blue Jackets lose Monahan and still win last night. Impressive.
And I wouldn’t count your Sens out yet George. As you have pointed out it’s a crowded and close field.
We all thought the same thing LJ, when Bergeron & Krecji left. We talked about on here plenty. That is why those playoffs in 2023 were suck a dick punch.
But then it didn’t happen.
Last year finished with 109 pts, only 1 behind FLA.
Won a round, and lost to the eventual cup champs in 6.
So that’s the million $ question. Which is the mirage, this year or last? We humans all have recency bias, so apply greater weight to what is happening now or recently. So is that what we’re doing? I try and fight that whether it’s hockey, investing or whatever.
We might not know the answer to that question until next year, unless they pull themselves out of this slump pronto and get it turned around again. But there is no sign that is about to happen, and if it stays this bad, then it will be obvious as well.
Who the F knows. Next 2 weeks will be telling.
such a dick punch
Make Montreal Great Again!
Yours Truly ,
….
Sabres had a first line center – he’s in Vegas now. Another brilliant move by this franchise!
Now that E. Kane is out for the season with yet a new surgery, I predict Marchand and M Petterson going to the Oil as rentals at 1/2 salary.
The Oil have precious few draft picks to send back, aren’t likely to part with prospects due to losing Holloway and Broberg, and the Bs will surely get a first rounder if not also a prospect for Marchant.
Pettersson to Sens for Norris
That would be interesting.
Would cost much more than just Norris I would think
After whatching him in Calgary I said that Zadorov is a good 5/6 but to many mistakes to play higher so at this level of pay, bad signing and was surprised they paid Lindholm that much, even if I didnt see him getting this bad already
Read recently that Boone Jenner has begun skating for Columbus. Took a quick look at their roster and god they have a lot of Centre depth, hope Chevy calls because the Jets need help at C2 as do a lot of teams. I’m sure Columbus will have a productive trade deadline from that position alone.
Bruins lack scoring on there 1st line they need to put a top line LW in there, they are getting blown out because the cant Score
Hab’s 8-2 CBJ 7-2 and Wings 6-4 are now Rolling,
All 3 should pass the Bruins in the next 2 games they all play…
Sen’s should be a lot better when the get L.U. Back in net
Pettersson is a skilled shooter and a potential 50 goal but a lightweight . Not sure he is going to get thicker and heavier ( in a good way) in order to handle the heavy going. I like Cousins and Byram and would take that deal . Would Buffalo ?
The difference maker for a lot of these streaks good or bad is injury. Don’t buy next man up. There is no choice. It definitely over time has an effect on outcomes.