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NHL Teams Scrambling to Land Elias Pettersson Before Free Agency For One Big Reason

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 1:59 PM ET

NHL insider Chris Johnston revealed some critical information on the Elias Pettersson trade rumors, and teams are trying to acquire him this week.

Elias Pettersson's name continues to be in trade rumors as the July 1 deadline looms, when his no-movement clause officially comes into play.

The Vancouver Canucks sensation is signed through June 2032 on an eight-year, $92.8 million contract he inked in March 2024. While that deal did not initially carry trade protection, a full no-move clause will come into force in a few days.

NHL insider Chris Johnston of TSN's 'OverDrive' writes that teams league-wide are aggressively exploring trade opportunities to land Pettersson before the clause would kick in.

'Teams are trying to trade for Elias Pettersson before his no-trade clause kicks in in July.'
- Chris Johnston

Vancouver is leading on to believe they won't trade him, but that likely isn't the case

Johnston clarified that other teams sense Vancouver may be more inclined to trade him than they're crediting publicly.

With the deadline approaching, teams are trying to move while they still have unfettered control over trade talks, before any deal would eventually require approval from Pettersson.

'The Canucks certainly are giving off all indications that they are comfortable keeping him,' Johnston said. 'That's where they're focused but there are at least whispers that some teams are trying to get in and see in this last week whether they can use that window to perhaps get the player. This is really the last chance you have at a trade.'

Even as one of the league's best centers, Pettersson comes off a disappointing season with 45 points in 64 games. That decline follows a 102-point breakout season in 2022-23.

His high $11.6 million cap hit also makes it challenging to make deals, especially for contenders already over the cap.

But from Vancouver's perspective, letting go of that contract could bring some much-needed flexibility if they believe Pettersson's future is not with the club.

With trade speculation building and July 1 approaching, the clock is ticking on what could prove to be a franchise-altering move.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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