As the Vancouver Canucks enter a crucial offseason filled with questions and tough decisions, the future of their star center Elias Pettersson has become a central storyline. Following a disappointing 2024–2025 NHL campaign that ended with the Canucks missing the playoffs, speculation is mounting that Pettersson’s time in Vancouver may be coming to an end—especially if internal issues continue unresolved.
Pettersson, who just wrapped up what many are calling the most difficult season of his professional career, is now the subject of significant interest from at least one major Eastern Conference team. That team? The rising Montreal Canadiens, who appear to be exploring a bold move to acquire the 26-year-old Swede.
After signing a massive 8-year, $92.8 million contract with an average annual value of $11.6 million, Pettersson was expected to be the cornerstone of Vancouver’s offense. But instead of fulfilling those expectations, the 2024–25 season was riddled with inconsistency, off-ice drama, and a sharp decline in production. His offensive numbers dipped noticeably, raising concern among fans and front-office executives alike. Worse yet, the highly publicized friction between Pettersson and former teammate J.T. Miller, who was eventually traded to the New York Rangers, only added fuel to the fire.
The fallout from the Pettersson-Miller saga seems to have left a lingering shadow over the locker room and cast doubt on Pettersson’s long-term fit with the organization. Now, with his no-trade clause set to kick in on July 1, the Canucks have just a few weeks to decide whether to commit fully to Pettersson—or cash in while they still control the market.
Enter the Montreal Canadiens.
According to recent reports, the Canadiens are seriously weighing a potential blockbuster trade for Pettersson. With a talented core of young players and a desire to take the next step in their rebuild, Montreal has been actively looking to add proven elite talent to their roster. Pettersson, despite a rocky season, fits that mold perfectly.
An article published by NHL insider Nate Duffet outlined the Canadiens’ interest in Pettersson, suggesting that the team is not only monitoring the situation in Vancouver closely but is already preparing a trade framework. One reported version of the deal could involve top defensive prospect Logan Mailloux and a first-round draft pick—two significant pieces that could appeal to a Canucks team looking to retool on the fly.
“The Canucks would rush into a trade if it means beating the July 1 deadline,” Duffet wrote. “We’ve already seen that the Canadiens are willing to part with Logan Mailloux and a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Could two of those assets be the starting point for a package to acquire Pettersson?”
While no trade has been finalized and talks are still speculative at this point, it’s clear that there is growing pressure on Vancouver’s management to act swiftly. Once Pettersson’s no-trade clause activates, the power shifts to the player, who could veto any proposed deal. That’s why the Canucks must decide—fast—if they believe Pettersson is still the centerpiece of their future or if the timing is right to extract maximum value from his current contract status.
For Montreal, a move like this would mark a turning point in their rebuilding journey. The Canadiens have been stockpiling young talent and draft picks over the last few years, but acquiring an established center like Pettersson would signal that the team is ready to push toward playoff contention. With young stars like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky already forming a strong foundation, Pettersson’s arrival could accelerate their competitive timeline and give them a bona fide top-line scoring threat.
But trading for Pettersson comes with some risk. His massive contract and recent struggles might give teams pause, especially if there are lingering concerns about his ability to return to elite form. However, many around the league still believe in his talent and see his down year as more of an outlier than a long-term decline.
It’s also worth noting that Vancouver is in a delicate position themselves. Despite the struggles of the 2024–25 season, the Canucks are not necessarily looking for a full rebuild. Instead, they seem interested in retooling around key young players like Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko. If the team does decide to move on from Pettersson, they’ll need to make sure they get an impactful return that fits their current competitive window.
That’s why Montreal’s combination of draft assets and top-tier prospects might be particularly appealing. Logan Mailloux, a promising young defenseman with size and offensive upside, could help bolster Vancouver’s blue line depth. And an additional first-round pick could provide flexibility in future trades or add another high-ceiling player to their pipeline.
As of now, the Canucks have not publicly confirmed any trade talks involving Pettersson, and it’s unclear whether he would even approve a move to Montreal once his no-trade clause is active. Still, with each passing day, the urgency increases.
The next few weeks could define the Canucks’ future for years to come. Do they bet on Pettersson bouncing back and recommitting to the team long-term? Or do they pull the trigger on a major trade, bringing back assets while they still control the narrative?
One thing is certain: the Montreal Canadiens are lurking—and if Elias Pettersson’s issues with the Canucks persist, they may be ready to pounce.
