Metropolitan Division Team Knocking on Patrik Allvin's Door for Elias Pettersson, per Insider
There's been a lot of interest in Canucks' Elias Pettersson as of late, and now an insider has revealed one Metropolitan Division team is very interested.
A possible blockbuster may change the NHL scenery once again, as the reported marquee player swap gains traction. And at the center of such rumors?
One of the most electrifying talents in hockey and a brewing reunion that might bring back the chemistry of old.
Just imagine having a dynamic duo reunited, mates that lit up the scoreboards and stole the hearts of fans.
Bo Horvat, now donning another jersey, has gone on record to call his former mate "a special player" and "a really good person." That sounds a lot like a setup for a dramatic return to form.
The player in question is none other than the Swedish sensation of the Vancouver Canucks, Elias Pettersson. At 26, he is in the first year of an eight-year, $11.6 million AAV contract.
There's no denying the talent, as he's tallied 28 points, 10 goals, and 18 assists, in 35 games this season.
However, there are recent whispers about friction between him and fellow star J.T. Miller in the locker room, putting his future in Vancouver into question.
The New York Islanders are very interested
In steps the New York Islanders. The Isles, per Stefan Rosner of The Hockey News, have made numerous calls on the centerman as they reportedly try to become the team that reunites him with Horvat, who was dealt to Long Island early in 2023.
Such a move would surely get Islander fans excited, yet it's a long road to making it happen.
The Isles would have to figure out a way to fit Pettersson's large contact in amidst a minefield of salary cap issues. Big pieces, like Mathew Barzal or Noah Dobson, could be in play.
The fact Barzal is from British Columbia adds an extra layer. The problem is that his no-trade clause makes an already sensitive negotiation even more delicate.
And after the Isles clear the cap space, Vancouver is supposed to ask for a mother lode of return for their star center.
To be clear, Pettersson doesn't carry any trade protection this season, but the leverage is clearly with the Canucks, who know full well what they have on their hands.
Getting Pettersson back with Horvat will be a salivating prospect, but whether the Islanders can give the Canucks what they want in return is the real question. Until then, who will play in the next act of this high-stakes drama remains pure speculation.
