Elliotte Friedman proposes crazy trade between Canucks and Sabres involving $92,800,000 Vancouver star

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Dec 16, 2024 23:45 GMT

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On the December 16 edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed the possibility of a deal between the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. Canucks star Elias Pettersson was the centerpiece of the proposed trade.

Pettersson, who is in the midst of an eight-year, $92.8 million deal he signed in March, has been the subject of criticism due to his underwhelming performance. So far this season, he’s notched eight goals and 26 points in 29 games. While not bad, his performance hasn’t lived up to the hype of his current deal.

With this in mind, Friedman proposed the following trade:

“I had some time on Sunday to think and I was thinking about the Sabres and I was thinking about Rick Tocchet and what he had to say on Saturday and reiterated on Sunday,” Friedman said.

“I want to stress this is purely in my head, who says no? [Dylan] Cozens and Bowen Byram for Pettersson. If that was proposed I think that Vancouver is more likely to say no than Buffalo.”

With the Sabres on the fringe of the Eastern Conference playoff race, speculation has emerged that the Sabres could be sellers at this year’s trade deadline. Rumors have surfaced that Cozens could be on the move.

However, there is no solid evidence that the Sabres are inclined to move Cozens or Byram. As for the Canucks, Pettersson continues to be a major piece of the team. So, it’s likely Vancouver may choose to pass on the deal.

Elias Petterson subject of past trade rumors for Vancouver Canucks

Last season, the Canucks were reportedly listening to offers on the star forward. Pettersson was headed toward free agency without a deal in sight. With the trade deadline looming, rumors emerged positing a trade sending Pettersson away in case he was unwilling to re-sign in Vancouver.

A trade was averted as Pettersson signed a massive extension with Vancouver. The massive commitment to Pettersson signaled that the organization viewed the Swedish forward as a major piece of the team’s long-term puzzle.

However, a lackluster performance in last year’s playoffs set off speculation that Pettersson wasn't the right fit for Vancouver despite the significant commitment on both sides.

As the Hockey News noted back in February of this year, Vancouver should consider trading Pettersson only if he doesn't re-sign in the long term. Vancouver signed him to a huge extension, putting any trade speculation to rest.

Ultimately, Pettersson isn’t going anywhere. GM Patrik Allvin has given no indication that will be the case. So, Pettersson will be staying put in Vancouver for the foreseeable future.