UPDATE: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes had discussions about a potential Elias Pettersson trade, earlier this week.
Friedman reports that these trade negotiations prompted Pettersson and his agent JP Barry to resume contract negotiations with the Canucks, as Pettersson would rather remain in Vancouver than be traded to Carolina.
From Friedman:
According to multiple sources, the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes had discussions about Elias Pettersson that advanced to a stage where both the Canucks and the player needed to make serious decisions about where their relationship was headed.
- Elliotte Friedman
The Canucks ultimately decided in favour of another attempt at extending Pettersson, and he, facing the possibility Vancouver could move him, allowed agents Pat Brisson and JP Barry to resume negotiations. Previously, the talented forward indicated he preferred to wait until after the season.
No extension is complete at this time, but there certainly is momentum in that direction, as Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported Wednesday. Should it be completed, it will allow the Canucks a very clear picture of their future cap situation heading into next week’s trade deadline.
Read below for our earlier report on Pettersson and the Canucks, via insiders Frank Seravalli and Rick Dhaliwal.
It's been an absolutely dream season for the Vancouver Canucks and their fanbase.
The team is on top of the league and it finally looks like their core of Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller and Thatcher Demko are turning into bonafide NHL superstars. The only question for the team now is... can they keep it up?
Out of all those players, only Miller is signed long-term. Hughes has three more seasons on his deal, Demko has two and Boeser has one. Pettersson's deal is up after this season and there's some real concern in Vancouver that the man they call 'EP40' could be on his way out of town.
The Canucks have made it clear that they would like to sign Pettersson long-term, but there's still no deal to be announced. Pettersson himself has been quiet when asked about his future, but it's believed that he essentially told the team that he's not interested in in-season negotiations. Still, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that there's a eight year, $96 million deal waiting for Pettersson the moment he wishes to sign it.
This past weekend though, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported that teams are calling Canucks GM Patrik Allvin to inquire about Pettersson's availability.
On Tuesday, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal is reporting that the team is frustrated with Pettersson and the lack of any negotiations. Dhaliwal reported that there's a chance that the Canucks end up trading Pettersson if they can't lock him up.
From Tuesday's Donnie & Dhali podcast:
"Canucks aren't getting any indication from Pettersson that he wants to be here long-term. There's frustration there. I still have no intel he wants out. Up until now I always thought Pettersson would re-sign but I'm not so sure now. Vancouver's gotta do their homework... when it comes to a trade."
- Rick Dhaliwal
Today though, Dhaliwal reports that there's been a significant change in Pettersson's tune and that now things are trending towards a contract being signed.
From Dhaliwal earlier today:
Further to this report, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports that it was Pettersson himself who actually approached the team and said, 'let's end all this nonsense.' Seravalli also reports that the deal will be $12+ million per season on a long-term deal.
From Seravalli's Daily Faceoff podcast:
"I'm told Pettersson went to the Canucks early this week and said let's end all this nonsense. Let's get a deal done, I want to stay in Vancouver."
- Frank Seravalli
But wait... I thought Pettersson didn't want to negotiate in-season?
It's incredible what a little fan and media pressure can do...
Stay tuned, there could be some big news in Vancouver this week.
