NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2026
Are the Canucks getting any closer to trading center Elias Pettersson? Are they interested in Kraken center Shane Wright? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ELIAS PETTERSSON SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance was asked if the Vancouver Canucks will give center Elias Pettersson the chance this season to regain some semblance of his previously high-scoring form to increase his trade value.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
Drance believes the Canucks’ preference is to trade the 27-year-old Pettersson if the opportunity presents itself. However, it’s a complicated move to pull off because of his declining production and expensive long-term contract.
TSN: Travis Yost believes the question that teams should ponder if they’re interested in Pettersson is whether he’s an intriguing buy-low trade candidate or one that screams, “buyer beware!”
Yost dives into the analytics to lay out how Pettersson’s performance has dropped over the past two years, particularly how his skating has changed since his productive seasons. He also pointed out how much the quality of talent around Pettersson has declined.
Ultimately, Yost believes Pettersson’s days are numbered in Vancouver. If his play improves this season, he could garner more attention in the trade market, noting that the rising salary cap would make his contract go from toxic to intriguing.
OILERS NOW WITH BOB STAUFFER: CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal was asked about trade speculation linking Pettersson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dhaliwal believes the Penguins “have some level of interest” in Pettersson. He noted there’s a rumor claiming the Canucks want center Ben Kindel in return. However, Dhaliwal rejected that idea, saying the Penguins aren’t giving up a promising young player such as Kindel for a bad contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong bounce-back performance this season will definitely enhance Pettersson’s value in the trade market. Teams will likely still prefer the Canucks retain salary to facilitate a trade, but with the cap rising in 2027-28 to $113.5 million, his contract could become more palatable for some clubs willing to take the risk.
Dhaliwal doesn’t believe a Pettersson trade to the Penguins (or anyone else) is close to happening. He said Pettersson has not been approached by the Canucks about waiving his no-trade clause.
THE CANUCKS ARE INTERESTED IN SHANE WRIGHT
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the Canucks are the preferred destination for Shane Wright. The Seattle Kraken are reportedly shopping the 22-year-old center.
According to Kuzma, the Canucks are intriguing to Wright because of what the club could become in a few years. He has a year remaining on his entry-level deal, which gives him incentive to produce and contribute to the Canucks’ rebuild, and if he does, they can lock him up.
OILERS NOW WITH BOB STAUFFER: Rick Dhaliwal recently said the Canucks were interested in Wright. However, he indicated that the Kraken’s asking price was high. Dhaliwal believes they want players like Zeev Buium or Tom Willander in return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken aren’t under pressure to move Wright. They’ve indicated they want what they consider a fair return and won’t be forced into making a move they don’t like.
Speaking of the Canucks, Dhaliwal also indicated that the Anaheim Ducks called them about taking forward Frank Vatrano off their hands. He believes the Ducks must include some sweeteners in the deal to “get rid of guys like Frank Vatrano.”
No way in hell the Kraken are getting Buium or Willander for Wright. Wright is in that in between stage where it’s too soon to write him off but in three NHL seasons he hasn’t shown enough to merit a solid return. The Kraken will likely hold on to him and hope he has a strong season. If he does they can keep him or fetch a good return if they choose to trade him. If he has another season like this past season his value will be really low.
I think you got to be careful especially around Pettersson, almost 12 million a year. I read an article on him I wish I could have found it. About declining Speed and shot Velocity. And that could due to knee injuries. The two guys I’m hoping the bruins bypass both Elias and Wright. I just have a bad feeling about both but especially Pettersson. Cutter Gauthier would be the guy I would pursue for the bs.
I don’t see the teams out west often. Pettersson has put up numbers in past but, way too risky to think he’ll be that player again. Unlike Wright, he’s been a top line player with more minutes and better players around him. Seattle not loaded on wings and certainly not bottom 6. Wright would be a good risk now, but Seattle can’t expect a high return based solely on draft position. Just look at Kakko. What they gave Rangers for him is what they should expect back.
I put Pettersson problems squarely on his skating. It gives him less time, less chance to get a good shot, we are talking hundreds of seconds but still enough. He has/had tendinitis in his knee/knees which can be a big problem but its not an injury in itself. But depending on the severity its a lingering pain on different levels which hampers your training. I also think he needs a new skating coach since his skating stance is much too upright and he has been told he isnt practicing enough in the off season, which might be true, the question is why. The thing that puzzles me when they say he isnt practicing enough is that he spent a whole summer improving on his shot to great effect, which doesnt sound like a guy who doesnt want to practice. I sure wish I could ask him some questions off the record, to understand what the problem is, just for my own peace of mind since I really think there is a good player there, the question is how to get him out
Growth of young players is not always linear. Wright had a strong first full season in the nhl but deployment last season had impact on his production when playing primarily bottom six on the kraken when Lambert became coach.
What intrigues me is that he is a plus player last season and career wise, on team with a negative goal differential despite playing in the bottom 6 last year.
As for the asking price… do they think they would get a buium. Probably not, but if I am the kraken I am selling a young center that seemingly plays a two way game that put up 19g and 44pts when put in a prominent offensive role.
Of course rival GMs will focus on last year and that is the dance.
But yeah if he was my asset I probably have a reasonable return in mind…by when camp opens… But right now i would be shooting high as well and see if I get a bite…or a counter offer I would jump at.
Come sept maybe I become more reasonable maybe not 😉
Something about Shane Wright reminds me of Alexandre Daigle… except his slide started during the draft itself.
My comparison for Shane Wright is Jack Roslovic.That being said if he follows that pattern he would be better off not buying a house,but renting!
I think other than position, Shane Wright is Cole Perfetti in that they’ve both not met expectations which in hindsight was probably was higher than reality. I flip for each other may be a good change for both.
Pettersson plus to a Dallas for Robertson
Boeser to NYI for Barzal
Barzal and Robertson new first line for van
Robertson won’t sign in van. Take that to the bank
And the Isles aren’t trading Barzal for Boeser
Lol
Take Kotanemi from Car for a sweetener
Take a train from Ana for a sweetener
They can play line 3 with Gallagher
I am in the minority but I think EP would do well in Boston if price is fair I would do the deal
Something like. Middlestadt, Lorhei. And Essiymont and a 3rd. For Pety at 10mil per
I appreciate the “realness” of that offer mr Bruin, but it’s an overpay.
I’d rather try and fix Lorhei than try and fix Petterson
I think if the Nucks received an offer close to that he would be gone already MB4.
I suppose there is a chance he bounces back on a new team, I just can’t find a reason to believe that he would.
Wonder what they do end up doing with Mittelstadt? Would you extend him long term at a # close to what he makes now? Not sure I would. Maybe 5 x $4.5?
Ray Bark,I doubt Middlestadt would take pay cut. He is making 5.75 this year.
He would do better in Boston if he could replace Linholm!