A blockbuster trade involving Elias Pettersson was reportedly rejected earlier this year

Increasingly, major trades are being completed in the National Hockey League. Big names like Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk have been traded in recent years, but as one might expect, others have come very close to meeting the same fate.

This was notably the case for Vancouver Canucks star forward Elias Pettersson.

The player, who is still potentially available but only for the right offer, almost changed teams a few months ago.

As reported by Marco Normandin, the Carolina Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks discussed a trade involving two players who had recently struggled to agree on the terms of new contracts (which has since been resolved).

The players in question were Elias Pettersson and Martin Necas.

The proposed trade was as follows:

To Carolina: Elias Pettersson

To Vancouver: Martin Necas, Brett Pesce, draft pick

This offer was ultimately rejected by Vancouver but was seriously considered and negotiated. It's a trade that would have significantly changed the face of both teams.

Looking back, who do you think would have come out on top?

Necas, 25, has 44 points in 36 games this season and earns $6.5M per year until 2026.

Pettersson, 26, has 28 points in 34 games this season and earns $11.6M per year until 2032.

As for Pesce, he is an excellent defensive defenseman and a legitimate top-four NHL blueliner.