Per industry sources, the Vancouver Canucks have high interest in Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson.

Just moments after speaking with New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat about the rift between his former Vancouver Canucks teammates, Elias Petterson and J.T. Miller, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman dropped some news:

Pettersson, 26, is in the first season of an eight-year deal worth $11.6 million annually, with an entire no-movement clause that kicks in this summer. He has 10 goals with 18 assists for 28 points in 34 games. 

Miller, 31, is in the second season of an eight-year deal worth $8 million annually, the one Horvat wanted before the Canucks shipped him to Long Island. He has six goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 27 games. 

Miller has a full no-movement clause through 2026-27 before it switches to a 15-team modified no-trade clause.

While it makes more sense to move Miller, given his personal matters this season and injuries, Pettersson definitely provides more value. 

Is there a way for the Islanders to swing a deal for the elite winger?

When the Islanders acquired Horvat from Vancouver, the price ended up being a first-round pick, a top prospect (Aatu Räty), and Anthony Beauvillier.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin was banking on a few things with that move, but the one positive for him is that he flipped the first for Filip Hronek.

The conversation starts with what the Canucks would be looking for.

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Per industry sources, pending restricted free agent Noah Dobson is high on the Canucks list if the Islanders elect to move the 24-year-old.

The Canucks also have interest in prospect Danny Nelson, who is dominating Team USA at the 2025 World Junior Championships, and Simon Holmstrom, who has turned himself into a bright middle-six forward for this team.

The Canucks also have interest in pending unrestricted free agent Brock Nelson but would be hesitant to make a deal if he wasn’t open to signing an extension,

THN can also report that Casey Cizikas, who has two years left at $2.5 million annually but zero trade protection, is a player that Rick Tocchett likes.

The Canucks lack wingers, so it’s fair to say that Pierre Engvall, who is in the second season of a seven-year deal worth $3 million, could be a player in a potential deal.

Money becomes the biggest issue in any deal involving a player in Pettersson’s cap hit.

The Islanders will be right up against the cap ceiling once Semyon Varlamov and his $2.75 million get activated out of long-term injured reserve. The Canucks have $2.53 million in space.

Petterson’s cap hit doesn’t become too strenuous if the Islanders move one of Kyle Palmieri ($5 million) or Jean-Gabriel Pageau ($5 million) on top of Nelson.

The framework for a deal starts with Dobson, Danny Nelson, or a 2025 first-round pick. 

Here is a deal based on our intel that allows the trade to work financially enough. Other moves would have to be made, like waiving players. 

A reminder that if the Islanders clear the cap ahead of a potential trade, things change.

TRADE

NYI receives: Elias Pettersson ($11.6M)

VAN receives: Noah Dobson ($4M), Casey Cizikas ($2.5M), 2025 first-round pick, Pierre Engvall ($3M)

This article focused on Pettersson, and not Miller, because Miller would not be a fit for the Islanders.