Eastern Conference contender linked to Elias Pettersson in trade talks today

UPDATE: In addition to today's rumor linking Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson to the Los Angeles Kings, NHL insider Chris Johnston is reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes could be in the mix to land the Swedish centreman.

From Johnston's podcast today:

"I wonder about the Carolina Hurricanes, they did have discussions on Pettersson last year and I think would be looking for some more impact players on their roster."

The Hurricanes, of course, were in negotiations with the Canucks on Pettersson last season before the Canucks opted to keep Pettersson and instead shipped JT Miller to the New York Rangers.

Now, evidently the Hurricanes are circling back on Pettersson with renewed reports that the Canucks are looking to rebuild their roster.

Read below for Johnston's report on the offer linking the Canucks to the Kings.

Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford has reportedly made it clear to GM's around the league that his team is open for business and that he's looking to wheel and deal some trades ahead of the NHL's February 4th Olympic trade freeze.

In particular, there are trade rumors swirling around star forward Elias Pettersson... again.

You may recall that Pettersson featured heavily into trade rumors last season after he had a falling out with former Canucks forward JT Miller. In the end, the Canucks chose to keep Pettersson and they dealt Miller to the New York Rangers.

You may also recall that Pettersson featured in trade rumors again back in 2024 prior to signing a long-term contract extension with the Canucks.

All this is to say that Pettersson has been the source of trade rumors for three straight seasons now... is the third time finally the charm?

Today, NHL insider Chris Johnston formally linked the Canucks to the divisional rival Los Angeles Kings, citing the team's need for a top centre when captain Anze Kopitar retires this upcoming offseason.

"LA Kings are losing Anze Kopitar at the end of the year, you wonder about a fit there," said Johnston on his own podcast.

It's also worth noting that Pettersson is very close with Kings forward and fellow Swede Adrian Kempe and that Pettersson's wife Katelyn Byrd is an LA native and started her modeling career in Hollywood.

Honestly, LA seems like the perfect fit for Pettersson and Pettersson feels like the perfect fit for LA.

Now the question... what would a potential deal look like?

No doubt the Canucks are looking for picks, prospects and/or young players in a potential Pettersson deal, so who do the Kings have who might fit the bill?

They actually have a 1st round pick and two 2nd round picks in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft and they have a decent stockpile of young players available like Brandt Clarke, Liam Greentree, Henry Brzustewicz and Carter George.

A package of an NHL ready player like Clarke, a top forward prospect like Greentree and a top goaltending prospect like George with a 1st round pick thrown in might be enough to get this deal done.

Thoughts, Kings fans? Canucks fans?