One scribe argues the Chicago Blackhawks need to move heaven and earth to get in on Elias Pettersson trade talks. Can they land him?

The Chicago Blackhawks’ struggles this season have opened up the door to all kinds of discussions. From adding a player to moving Connor Bedard, the lack of productivity as a team has left questions about what direction the club should take. One scribe believes the Blackhawks should add, and he knows the target they should chase: Elias Pettersson.

One host joked about Bedard going to his hometown Canucks, but what if a star Canuck went to Chicago?

The absence of a strong supporting cast with the Blackhawks has frustrated Bedard this season. The team would like to get him some support and a player who could bring more out of him, but their attempts to add pieces around him haven’t worked.

Mark Lazerus of The Athletic talked about how Blackhawks’ teams of the past had multiple top stars., specifically Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. It wasn’t one player that brought on those championship years. Kane stepped into a winning culture with seasoned stars like Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa. Bedard, meanwhile, is fighting an uphill battle, essentially on his own.

Should the Blackhawks Pursue Elias Pettersson?

A potential solution lies in targeting Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson, argues Lazerus. The Canucks have him on the trade block and are talking to teams. If the Blackhawks could acquire him, Lazerus argues, it be a solid start to turning things around.

He writes:

“Trading for Elias Pettersson would not make the Blackhawks really good, nor would it put them in contention for the Stanley Cup. But it would get them significantly closer.”

Pettersson’s elite playmaking and scoring abilities would perfectly complement Bedard’s undeniable talent. Lazerus says the Blackhawks have the assets to make a competitive trade offer, potentially sending prospects like Frank Nazar and Kevin Korchinski the other way.

Lazerus adds, “The Blackhawks — like every other team in the league, quite frankly — should be trying to move heaven and Earth to pry Elias Pettersson out of Vancouver.” That would leave general manager Kyle Davidson with a decision: invest in a big move for Pettersson or stay the course and rebuild through picks and prospects.

If Pettersson doesn’t work out, the Blackhawks will have spent a lot and mortgaged a good chunk of their future. If he does pan out, Bedard will be a much happier camper. And, trade opportunities like this don’t come around all that often. If Bedard watches the Blackhawks pass this by without a sniff, what kind of a message does that send?