The “Open for Business” sign is officially hanging in Vancouver, and it’s both terrifying and exciting for hockey fans. The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly willing to listen to offers on superstar center Elias Pettersson, provided the right deal materializes and he agrees to waive his No-Movement Clause (NMC). While the Carolina Hurricanes were early suitors, Marco D’Amico reports that two new, flush-with-assets teams have emerged: The Philadelphia Flyers and the Utah Mammoth.
Both Utah and Philadelphia are looking to accelerate their competitive timelines. They have the cap space to handle Pettersson’s enormous $11.6 million AAV for the next 6.5 years, but here is my insight: nobody is taking that full contract right now.
If the Canucks want a true blockbuster return, they must retain salary. If Vancouver retains 25%—dropping his cap hit to an incredibly valuable $8.7M AAV—Pettersson transforms from a distressed asset into the most valuable commodity on the trade market. That level of retention demands a massive haul.
Why Salary Retention Changes the Entire Conversation
It feels like we are watching a slow-motion car crash in Vancouver this season. The fact that GM Patrik Allvin is even entertaining calls on his franchise center shows how dire the situation has become. Pettersson holds all the cards with his NMC, but if he wants to win now, staying put might not be his best option.
The Flyers and Mammoth are both incredibly intriguing landing spots. Utah is a sleeping giant with a treasure trove of draft picks and young talent waiting to explode. Philadelphia has aggressively retooled and needs a bona fide 1C to pair with Matvei Michkov.
But let’s be real about the money. $11.6M for a player currently struggling is a non-starter for most GMs. However, at $8.7M (with 25% retention), you are getting a franchise center for the next four and a half seasons at a discount. That reality means the Canucks should demand the moon, the stars, and a handful of first-round picks.
The Proposed Massive Hauls for Vancouver
If the Canucks agree to retain 25%, here is what I believe a fair, “expert-level” demand looks like from both suitors to kickstart Vancouver’s rebuild:
The Utah Mammoth Package: Utah needs a playmaker to solidify their center depth. Vancouver targets their blend of NHL readiness and massive size.
- To Utah: Elias Pettersson (25% retained – $8.7M AAV)
- To Vancouver: Top Prospects Daniil But (LW) and Caleb Desnoyers (C), and a 2026 1st Round Pick.
The Philadelphia Flyers Package: The Flyers need a center whose timeline matches Michkov’s prime. Vancouver targets Philadelphia’s deep prospect pool at center.
- To Philadelphia: Elias Pettersson (25% retained – $8.7M AAV)
- To Vancouver: Top prospects Porter Martone (RW), Jett Luchanko (C), and a 2026 1st Round Pick.
These are eye-watering prices, but for a cost-controlled Elias Pettersson, that is the cost of doing business in today’s NHL.
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Peterson really hasn’t had much to play with in Van and the media destroyed him as for JT look at what he has caused in Van
Horvat gone and tochet
Peterson will be a 45-50 goal scorer but just not in Van
Honestly i feel if you retained
Pettersson to (9mill) and added in a 3rd round pick,with a Young roster player(Karlsson,Hoglander,Raty,
Sasson) You could get an ok return.That said Philly will never give up Martone, they might however be willing to give up a right handed defenceman with an abundance of them (Drysdale,York,Ristolainen,Bonk)
Porter Martone is an absolute non starter, petersson isnt really what the flyers need.we have 2 great goalies coming up and young centers on the way. Be patient it will take one more season before they arrive
You make me laugh. Both of those packages are a overpayment. They equate to 3 first round draft picks for a player that has regressed in the past two seasons. This is not a anomaly, it’s a fact. His attitude is in question here, that locker room is a mess. They traded J.T. Miller because no one would touch Petterson in a trade. Quinn Hughes had to be traded because he wasn’t going to resign to that mess. Tocchet left town because of the discontent on that team. I doubt they can trade him without retention. He isn’t worth anywhere near 11.6 million. He may very well be untradeable like he was when they traded Miller. How many points does he have so far this year in how many games. He’s overpaid and has a serious attitude problem, and it’s well documented how bad that locker room is, and He’s part of it.
Nobody is going to give that type of return for the type of player Petterson is. Quinn Hughes was frustrated with his compete level night to night. He drove J.T. Miller crazy to the point they had to trade him. Neither one of these teams are giving up those assets for this guy. Give your head a shake.
Firstly, neither of those packages would be enough, especially with salary retention…Secondly, if he’s overpaid at 11.6, why is he a steal at 8.7? Thirdly, he ain’t waving his ntc to go back to Tochett in Philly…fourthly, the nucks brass isn’t happy about OELs retained salary, so you would they do another 6+ years for Petey, makes no sense…so ultimately I see this whole article as being written by someone who is far from close to the canucks team, and has been playing too much NHL 26 franchise mode.
Not enough, lol. Keep him then. If the Flyers gave up Martone for E.P. id be really pissed off. I agree with the other commenter.
Not enough? Good lord keep him then. Martone is way too much to give up anyway for that dented can of a player