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Where is Elias Pettersson Being Traded At The Deadline?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk
By Ryan Frost-Garant | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 3:11 PM ET

It’s no secret that the Vancouver Canucks have been exploring potential trades and mapping out a plan for nearly every player on their roster. Even former captain Quinn Hughes hasn’t been immune to speculation amid the team’s fire-sale approach.

Elias Pettersson, meanwhile, has struggled significantly in recent seasons. He has just 35 points in 50 games this year, and last season wasn’t much better, with 45 points in 64 games. His underperformance has been a major factor in Vancouver’s inability to achieve the success they expected. Opposing teams are hopeful that a change of scenery could help Pettersson rediscover the above point-per-game form he showed earlier in his career.

Pettersson, 27, is only in the second year of an $11.6 million contract that expires at the conclusion of the 2031-32 season. The contract includes a full no-movement clause, giving Pettersson a huge say in where he can be traded, or whether he is traded at all. That said, it seems plausible he will be traded, as several teams are known to be interested in him.

Insider Nick Kypreos had this to say about the interested teams:

“Leading today’s trade board is Elias Pettersson… one team to watch in connection with Pettersson is the Los Angeles Kings… Another team to watch here is the Detroit Red Wings… And Carolina is not going away on Pettersson either.”

Why The Los Angeles Kings?

With Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season, the Kings need to find a replacement for their first line. That option could have been Quinton Byfield. Byfield, 23, has been unable to take that next step in his development.

Following the recent injury to Kevin Fiala at the Olympics, the Kings were left with a hole in their lineup. Adding Elias Pettersson may be the key to finally advancing past the first round, since they last won the Stanley Cup in 2014.

Why The Detroit Red Wings?

The Detroit Red Wings look set to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. They are currently in the first wild card position of the Eastern Conference, five points clear of the Washington Capitals. Detroit has had recent seasons where it looked like they were going to make the playoffs. The team would then struggle down the stretch and miss by a small margin. They want to make sure this does not happen and are able to end the drought.

Detroit, much like Vancouver, also has a strong history of Swedish players who have played for them. Key Swedish players currently on Detroit include Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, and Axel Sandin Pellikka. Adding Elias Pettersson to this team would take the team’s center depth from okay to a strength.

Why The Carolina Hurricanes

Over the past few seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes have made it very clear that they are willing to take big swings in their attempt to win the Stanley Cup. They acquired Jake Guentzel in 2024 and Mikko Rantanen last season. Neither player ended up working out, and both ultimately left the team.

In the playoffs, the Hurricanes have had some success, reaching the Conference Finals in two of the past three seasons. They have been unable to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, though. If they can add Pettersson to this team, it may finally push them over the top and help them win the Stanley Cup.

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

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