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Elias Pettersson's name continues to surface in trade rumors, and while his recent performance has fallen short of expectations, his situation may be looking up. The forward earns $11.6 million per season for nearly six more years, and with the salary cap rising, speculation about whether the Canucks can find a trade partner is growing.
Marco D'Amico of the Sur le march podcast discussed the topic with Greg Lanctt, and according to D'Amico, the Montreal Canadiens should not be considered a potential destination for Pettersson. The insider simply does not see that scenario unfolding.
D'Amico explained that Pettersson could enhance his trade value by proving over several months that he can be a dominant player, a level he has demonstrated in the past. Even if he is starting from a significant deficit, such a showing could boost his worth. However, a high-pressure market like Montreal might not align with his needs. A location where hockey is not the dominant focus seems like the most logical fit, which effectively rules out Canadian markets for a player who holds a no-trade clause through 2032.
Key Analysis
D'Amico was also asked about comparing the trade situations of Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson to gauge a potential return, and he agreed that the two cases are not comparable. Hughes was in high demand because he is a dominant player without a massive contract or a no-trade clause, making him far more appealing to teams. In contrast, Pettersson's contract and no-trade protection present significant obstacles.
In other news, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki returned to the ice in Brossard on Wednesday morning, this time in full gear. The development is seen as interesting and great news for the team. Additionally, Ben Kindel was on the ice for today's practice. The 19-year-old forward experienced a vasovagal episode during the team's flight home from Utah last Tuesday (Oct. 20).
Originally reported by yardbarker.