Elias Pettersson (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of money to spend this off-season and it is the right time to make a splash to add someone significant. That could come in free agency, but might also come through a trade.
It was rumored that the Blackhawks had shown interest in Elias Pettersson prior to the Vancouver Canucks trading J.T. Miller, but since then, there is still good reason to think the Canucks could trade Pettersson.
If that is the case, the Blackhawks should especially be backing off after seeing what transpired during the 4 Nations Face-Off with Pettersson on Team Sweden. His ice time and contribution to the team continued to drop over the three games and even while playing with better players overall, Pettersson still couldn't figure things out.
In Sweden's only win of the tournament over the U.S., he played less than 10 minutes and didn't get on the stat sheet for anything else. It isn't a matter of lack of high-end talent playing on his wings and any other excuse now that Miller is gone from Vancouver can't be justified either. Maybe it's just time for a change in scenery, but that's a risky undertaking for the Blackhawks after Vancouver just signed Pettersson at $11.6 million AAV through 2032.
Pettersson finished the 4 Nations Face-Off with two shots, two hits, and two blocked shots. The 26-year-old recorded no points and has just 11 goals and 34 points in 49 games this season for the Canucks. If the Blackhawks were showing interest in Pettersson last season, I would've said absolutely, but not after such a big drop-off overall.
Pettersson is on pace to score less goals, record fewer assists, points, have a worse +/- by a lot, isn't producing on the power play nearly as well, is shooting less, hitting less, and registering less takeaways and more giveaways. He should not be given Selke Trophy votes this season and the only thing he has improved upon is blocking shots.
The Blackhawks will need to spend their money soon to get in a good position to improve and win, but making the wrong move could get in the way of that and set them back.
I wouldn't have to argue hard in saying that Bedard is already better than Pettersson, especially by what each of them have shown this season. The Blackhawks need more of a competitor that hasn't struggled to the level Pettersson has and can't take a risk this big right now with his stock falling.
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