Check out the latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson and Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma pondered whether Elias Pettersson’s strong start to this season might change his value to the Vancouver Canucks.

Pettersson’s struggles over the last two seasons made him the subject of frequent trade speculation, but it has also damaged his value as a trade candidate.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images)

Kuzma indicated that the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings wondered if a change of scenery might help revive Pettersson’s competitiveness.

With the dramatic increases in players’ salaries, Pettersson’s $11.6 million average annual value isn’t the enormous albatross it once was.

Kuzma also suggested that an improving Pettersson could help the Canucks by providing support for promising centers Braeden Cootes and Caleb Malhotra down the road.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato doesn’t consider it an overreaction to suggest Pettersson’s improved play could make it easier for the Canucks to trade the 27-year-old center.

Amato suggested that Pettersson doesn’t have to return to his 102-point form of 2022-23. If he can stay within 60-70 points and be strong defensively, he’ll have value as a two-way center. He also noted that the explosion in players’ salaries no longer makes his contract as difficult to move as it once was.

If the Canucks want to move Pettersson, they’ll be among the few teams willing to accept a package of draft picks and prospects because of their rebuilding status. They could also facilitate a trade by retaining a bit of his salary-cap hit or taking a bad contract in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s cap hit might not be the sticking point it once was, but his full no-movement clause still gives him complete control over this situation. There’s nothing the Canucks can do if he won’t waive it.

It’s also premature to suggest that Pettersson’s value has changed. He’s had a promising start, but his recent inconsistency would still make teams leery about acquiring him. And that cap hit is still expensive, especially for a player whose performance is considered erratic.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Detroit Red Wings originally attempted to sign defenseman Simon Edvinsson to a bridge deal. They’ve now made some longer-term offers to the 23-year-old restricted free agent.

Friedman assumed they’re not offering a five-year deal because that contract would expire at the same time as defense partner Moritz Seider’s deal.

Over the weekend, Friedman reported that Edvinsson would prefer a trade from Detroit. He said the Red Wings still intend to sign him, but he also believes they’ve gauged his value in the trade market.

Friedman also wondered if there might be an opportunity for the Red Wings to move Edvinsson and center Dylan Larkin in the same deal. Larkin made headlines throughout the summer by requesting a trade and submitting a three-team list of destinations, which he has reportedly expanded to eight teams.

FRANKLY HOCKEY: NHL insider Frank Seravalli claimed the Utah Mammoth have emerged as a potential suitor for Edvinsson.

Seravalli also reported that the prevailing opinion around the league is that the cost of acquiring Edvinsson in contract and trade return won’t be cheap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation suggests Edvinsson is seeking an average annual value of $12 million on his next contract. The Red Wings insist they’re not rebuilding, meaning any return must include one good young NHL player.

Moving Larkin and Edvinsson in a package deal would be a blockbuster move, one that could be difficult to swing during the regular season because of their salaries and the Wings’ potential asking price.