Isaiah George Talk On Hockey Night in New York The Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/] have a decision to make regarding 26-year-old centerman Elias Pettersson amidst locker-room turmoil with teammate J.T. Miller. Pettersson, who has 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) through 34 games, is in the first season of an eight-year deal worth $11.6 million. Per industry sources close to the situation in Vancouver, the New York Islanders are one of many teams that have inquired about Pettersson. "The Islanders have 100 percent checked in, more than once," per one source. "Pettersson and Horvat are very tight," Horvat, who played with Pettersson from 2018 until he was dealt to the Islanders on Jan. 30, 2023, served as his captain for three-and-a-half seasons. "Oh god, yeah," was Horvat's reaction when THN asked him if he'd want to play with Pettersson again. "He's a special player. He's a really good person. He's a special player that I respect a lot. I've had a lot of good success with him, too, in the past. But yeah, if I get a chance to play with him again, I would love to. We could use him." In our latest story about Pettersson, we dove into what it could cost the Islanders. Separate from a deal for Pettersson, we know that defenseman Noah Dobson is high on their list, and they have interest in pending unrestricted free-agent forward Brock Nelson. There's interest in Islanders prospect Danny Nelson, too. But, for Pettersson, I wonder if the Canucks would dare ask for Mathew Barzal, the British Columbia native? I have no idea if the Islanders would entertain this whatsoever -- I doubt it -- but I mean, the Canucks would be foolish not to ask, right? Barzal, who is in his second season of an eight-year deal worth $9.15 million, is from Coquitlam, British Columbia, around a 45-minute drive to Rogers Center, the home of the Canucks. While Pettersson does not have any trade protection this season, Barzal, who loves being an Islander and loves Long Island, has a 22-team no-trade clause.
