Elias Pettersson is a restricted free agent and NHL trade rumors have the Vancouver Canucks and Pettersson not close on signing a new contract.
Sportsnet is reporting Pettersson told a Swedish newspaper, “I want to stay (in Vancouver) now, but I also want to play for a team that’s winning and has the chance to go far into the playoffs every year.”
Is that statement saying Pettersson would like to sign a short-term bridge deal and if the Canucks do not make the playoffs in his time on the bridge deal, he will walk when he hits free agency? It is believed the Canucks want to sign him to a long-term deal and Pettersson cannot commit to that offer.
Pettersson could receive an offer-sheet from another team and if it comes in at $10 million/year it could make it tough for the Canucks to match as they still have Quinn Hughes to sign. Imagine if the Seattle Kraken come in with an offer sheet, that would make for a great rivalry between the Canucks and Kraken.
The likely scenario is Pettersson re-signs with the Canucks on a short-term deal to see if the Canucks will be a consistent playoff team in the next few years.
