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Canucks Make Elias Pettersson Roster Move Amid Trade Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 4, 2025 5:45 AM ET

Elias Pettersson’s tumultuous season with the Vancouver Canucks took another turn as the team placed the star forward on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 23.

Pettersson, who left the game against the San Jose Sharks played that day with a lower-body injury, is expected to miss at least one more week, with eligibility to return on Jan. 6 against Montreal.

The move comes amid swirling trade rumors and heightened scrutiny following blunt comments from Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin.

Speaking to Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre on Monday, Allvin called for growth and maturity from the 26-year-old, whose production—10 goals and 18 assists in 34 games—has drawn criticism given his $92.8 million contract extension signed last March.

“Petey has shown up to this point that he is an extremely talented, quality player that could and should be a No. 1 center,” Allvin said. “(But) he needs to mature and understand that there are certain expectations, and it does not get easier.

”You need to face the music when things don’t go well.”

Allvin’s remarks also fueled speculation about a potential trade, with the GM acknowledging, “Anything is possible,” regarding Pettersson’s future.

Pettersson’s full no-trade protection kicks in during the 2025–26 season, leaving a limited window for the Canucks to explore options but allowing the franchise to move him before March without the player having the right to block a move.

The Canucks are in the midst of a challenging stretch, clinging to a wild-card spot in the Western Conference with an 18–12-8 record but having lost six of their last eight games.

On top of that, some internal issues between Pettersson and teammate J.T. Miller have put the franchise and its decision-makers in the spotlight entering the 2025 calendar year, adding uncertainty to the situation.

Pettersson is playing through his seventh season in the NHL and has scored 180 goals while providing 260 assists for 440 total points in 441 career games, all of them with the Canucks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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