Elias Pettersson and Vasily PodkolzinBob Frid-Imagn Images Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The NHL rumor mill continues buzzing over the Vancouver Canucks’ intentions for Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
Reports last week indicated the Canucks rejected an offer of Mika Zibanejad from the New York Rangers last November. Meanwhile, there’s speculation the Carolina Hurricanes revisited their interest in Pettersson. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline cited internet buzz linking the Columbus Blue Jackets to Pettersson, but he indicated a team source denied any trade talks had taken place.
Almost all the trade chatter linked Pettersson and Miller to Eastern Conference teams. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the Canucks haven’t shut down interest from Western Conference teams.
It makes sense for Canucks management to explore all options as they gauge the trade market for Miller and Pettersson. Their willingness to entertain offers from Western clubs suggests they’re not getting suitable trade proposals from Eastern teams.
The Hockey News’ Adam Kierszenblat wrote the Canucks could use a roster shakeup in general to find another puck-moving defenseman and a top-six forward. But as for the Pettersson-Miller rumors, he said the problem with moving either player is getting fair value back.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers announced Evander Kane underwent knee surgery last week. He requires four to six weeks of recovery, putting his rehab from last fall’s abdominal surgery on hold.
That prompted David Staples of the Edmonton Journal to ponder whether the Oilers might place Kane on long-term injury reserve if he’s sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. It would allow the Oilers to exceed the cap by $5.1 million, enabling them to bolster their roster before the March 7 trade deadline.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman said the club will wait and see how things go with Kane’s recovery and rehab. They’re uncertain as to when he’ll return to the lineup.
Staples observed the Oilers have limited trade capital among their prospects and draft picks. They hold second- and third-round picks from the St. Louis Blues that they received as compensation for signing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to offer sheets last summer. He believes they need physical puck-moving forwards and defensemen, suggesting they add a second-pairing blueliner and a third-line winger.
Turning to the Chicago Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic believes Taylor Hall is the most likely to be moved among their roster players. The 33-year-old left winger is producing at almost the same pace as he was two years ago on a deeper Boston Bruins club.
Powers also suggested center Ryan Donato as another trade candidate. He’s been among the Blackhawks’ better players this season but would be a checking-line forward on a contender. Power believes Hall and Donato could fetch third-round picks.
