Elias Pettersson training in Los Angeles sparked real speculation this week, and insider Rick Dhaliwal is doing his best to shut that down.
Video surfaced of the struggling center practicing in LA, immediately reviving chatter about a potential trade to the Kings.
Dhaliwal addressed the whole situation directly on the Canucks Conversation podcast this weekend.
"His wife's from LA. I mean, most likely that's the reason he's there," Dhaliwal said. "You're allowed to practice anywhere in the world. Doesn't matter where they train, as long as they train."
He was even more direct about where an actual trade stands.
"As far as I know, when I checked in last night, a Pettersson trade never got close in the last few months," Dhaliwal said.
Vancouver reportedly hasn't even taken the real first step yet. "The Canucks never went to his agent and said, 'Hey, we got a team. Will you waive your no-move clause to go to this team?'" he added.
That's a meaningful distinction. Plenty of speculation and team interest exists, but nothing close to an actual approved destination has surfaced.
Why retention is the real sticking point in any deal
The contract itself is the core obstacle. Pettersson still has six full years remaining on his deal, not two or three like some fans assume.
"It's not an easy trade to make. Still a lot of term left on that deal. Six years!" Dhaliwal said.
That length matters even more given his recent production. Pettersson posted 15 goals and 51 points in 74 games last season, a 50-point pace two years running now against an $11,600,000 cap hit.
Rival teams reportedly aren't interested in taking that number on without real financial help from Vancouver first.
"I know for a fact that one team told me, to get in the Pettersson talks, they need retention. Two, two and a half, close to three million per year to make it work," Dhaliwal said.
That's a significant financial commitment for Vancouver to absorb just to move him, on top of whatever return actually comes back in a trade.
Dhaliwal's honest read is that nothing close to a deal exists right now, though he left the door open given how these situations can shift fast. "All it takes is one phone call, and anything can happen," he said.
Realistically, Vancouver may simply need to let this play out. Training camp opens in Penticton on September 17th, and Pettersson is expected to be there.
The trade deadline remains the more realistic window if Vancouver still wants to move him once the season actually provides some clarity on where his game stands.
For now, Canucks fans should get comfortable with the idea that Pettersson opens the season in Vancouver colors, whether they like it or not.
Will the Canucks actually trade Elias Pettersson before this season's deadline?
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