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Atlantic Division Team Suddenly Serious Elias Pettersson Trade Threat

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Michael DeRosa | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 11:04 AM ET

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson is one of the biggest names in the rumor mill right now. With the Canucks entering a rebuild, the 27-year-old center has been creating plenty of chatter as a trade candidate.

TSN’s Chris Johnston recently reported that Pettersson is among the players the Canucks are willing to listen to trade offers for. With this, there is no question that Pettersson will be a player to keep an eye on as we continue to get closer to the deadline.

Now, an Atlantic Division club is being linked to the Canucks star center.

During a recent appearance on Sportsnet’s Canucks Central, NHL insider Frank Seravalli shared that he had heard the Detroit Red Wings are among the teams interested in acquiring Pettersson.

“One team that I’ve heard that has been among the interested teams is the Detroit Red Wings,” Seravalli said.

Red Wings & Pettersson Could Be a Great Fit

When looking at the Red Wings’ current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use a center like Pettersson. If Detroit landed him, he could serve as a nice upgrade for the Red Wings’ second-line center spot over veteran forward Andrew Copp. With this, it is understandable that the Red Wings are reportedly interested in Pettersson.

The Red Wings are also one of the few teams that could handle Pettersson’s $11.6 million cap hit right now with ease. According to PuckPedia, Detroit has over $28 million of current cap space and just under $60 million of deadline cap space.

The Red Wings could also be a good potential trading partner for a rebuilding club like the Canucks. It is no secret that Detroit has a strong prospect pool, so that could grab Vancouver’s attention.

Ultimately, with the Red Wings looking to take that next big step and make the playoffs, now feels like the right time for them to try to make a splash for a player like Pettersson. If the change of scenery helped him regain his elite form, he could be the final piece that helps Detroit emerge as a legitimate contender.

Yet, with Pettersson having a full no-movement clause, he would need to approve a move to the Red Wings for it to have any chance of happening.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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