Check out the latest speculation on the Canucks and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CANUCKS FACE A BUSY SUMMER
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston looked at what’s ahead for the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks in the off-season.
Johnston wondered what they would do with Elias Pettersson. He believes the Canucks would be smart to try to trade the 27-year-old center this summer and try to get something of value for him. Johnston felt that Pettersson himself would be smart to ask for a trade, as it’s clear he thinks he needs a fresh start.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s a market for Pettersson. Some general managers seeking offensive depth at center will look at his 102-point performance in 2022-23 and believe he can reach those numbers again in a different market with a better roster.
However, Petersson’s $11.6 million average annual value through 2031-32 is the main stumbling block in the path to a trade. Interested clubs will want salary retention as part of the deal, which the Canucks could be unwilling to do.
Pettersson also has a full no-movement clause, which will also hinder the Canucks efforts to get a decent return. The fewer his preferred destinations, the less likely they’ll get something back that can help their rebuild.
Johnston also pointed out that the Canucks’ biggest needs are a No. 1 center, a top-flight winger, and a big-time defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They won’t get immediate help for those issues in the trade market. The best they’ll get there are promising youngsters and draft picks that might one day blossom into stars, especially if they win the draft lottery in May.
Johnston’s colleague, Paul Chapman, noted that the Canucks won’t find much help in this summer’s shallow unrestricted free-agent pool. The top centers are an aging Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins and 34-year-old Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh. If he becomes available, he’s not going to a rebuilding team. The Blue Jackets hope to re-sign Coyle, and he’s likely to stay with them given their impressive improvement this season.
THE RED WINGS’ UNWILLINGNESS TO MOVE PROSPECTS COULD COST THEM A PLAYOFF SPOT.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports a source told him that Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was unwilling to move any of his top prospects in a prospective trade before the March 6 deadline.
The Red Wings were rumored to have been among the clubs with an interest in St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. It’s believed the Blues set a high asking price for the 26-year-old Thomas, but the Red Wings’ depth in prospects put them in a good position to meet that price.
Had Yzerman been willing to move a couple of his top prospects for Thomas, Di Marco felt the Blues might’ve been open to a return of a first-round pick, center Nate Danielson, and either Trey Augustine or Sebastian Cossa.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Di Marco pointed out that the Red Wings did make a significant addition by adding right-shot defenseman Justin Faulk. However, they failed to acquire a reliable first or second-line center. Thomas would’ve been an excellent fit given his age (26) and offensive talent.
The Red Wings are struggling down the stretch again, dropping out of the final wild-card berth over the weekend. If they miss the playoffs again, critics will point to their inability (or unwillingness) to make a major move when they had the assets and the salary-cap space to do so.
Di Marco wonders if that could cost Yzerman his job. Missing the playoffs for 10 straight years, with the last seven seasons on Yzerman’s watch, could force ownership to consider a shake-up in the front office.