Red Wings Trade Targets: Elias Pettersson

Caleb Kerney

Mar 3, 2025, 14:17

Caleb Kerney

Mar 3, 2025, 14:17

Elias Pettersson (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Time to put your money where your mouth is.

The Detroit Red Wings only have a few days until the Trade Deadline. They have not made a move for a center yet. However, they have a good amount of cap space at their disposal, and they should be able to weaponize it in some fashion before the March 7th deadline at 3 PM Eastern.

Yesterday, we took a look at one buy-low candidate in Trevor Zegras. Today, we take a look at another one: Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson.

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Elias Pettersson

Trade Board Ranking: N/A (The Athletic), 25 (Daily Faceoff), 10 (The Fourth Period)

Contract: $11.6 million (7 years remaining)

Position: Center

Age: 26

Shoots: Left

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 176 lbs

Stat Line: 54 GP, 11 G, 24 A, 35 PTS, 18:47 TOI, 45.9 FO%

What they are saying:

Pettersson is an elite point producer who is a good skater with a great shot. The only unfortunate thing for Pettersson is that he is in the middle of the worst season of his career.

The 26-year-old center appears disjointed despite the departure of J.T. Miller. The Swedish pivot did not do himself any favors with his 4 Nations Face-off performance, where he was virtually invisible for the entire tournament duration.

The Canucks are likely looking for a deal that makes sense to them, given his potential. However, his value and his production need to be weighed against each other to for them to decide if they are better off keeping or trading him.

What does he bring to the table?

Pettersson is an excellent passer who can put the puck in the net. Five times, he scored 20 or more goals, and three times, he scored over 30.

As mentioned above, he's going through a bad season. This year, he is on pace for 53 points. If that comes to pass, it will be his lowest point total in his entire career.

For the last three years, he has scored 32, 40, and 34 goals, respectively. Pettersson didn't forget how to score or shoot. However, he needs a change of scenery to play to the level that is expected of him.

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Is he a fit with the Red Wings?

The biggest knock against Pettersson right now is his contract. Seven years left at over $11 million big ones is a deal for an elite point producer who puts up 30 goals and 80-100 points. However, it's way too much to be paying someone who might put up a 20-goal, 50-point season. Pettersson can play well with other elite players. Just last year, he produced well, playing alongside Brock Boeser, Ilya Mikheyev, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nils Hoglander, and Miller. This season, he's been most productive alongside newcomer Jake Debrusk.

The likelihood of the Canucks retaining any salary in a deal like this is very low. However, if the Red Wings sent the canucks a contract in the 3-4 million dollar range it would make a deal more digestible.

Do you think Pettersson can be an elite second-line center for another team, or does every other team need to avoid a deal to acquire him? Let us know by commenting below and giving us your thoughts. We would love to hear from you!

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Red Wings Trade Targets: Elias Pettersson