Big contracts often come with big expectations, and that has become part of the conversation surrounding Elias Pettersson in Vancouver. The Canucks center remains one of the organization’s most closely watched players as management evaluates its next steps.
While trade chatter continues to surface ahead of the draft, not every rumored destination appears grounded in reality. One insider recently explained why a popular theory may not hold up.
Insider Pushes Back on Elias Pettersson-to-Carolina Hurricanes Trade Speculation
Pettersson’s future continues to generate debate across the NHL, but it’s hard for analysts to digest that the Carolina Hurricanes remain a realistic destination.
During a recent appearance on Donnie & Dhali, Rick Dhaliwal addressed the latest wave of trade chatter surrounding the Canucks center.
Dhaliwal confirmed that interest around Pettersson has not disappeared, saying, “It’s that time of the year. Lots of chatter. Teams are calling about Elias Pettersson.” However, he also made it clear that turning those calls into an actual trade is much easier said than done.
Dhaliwal pointed out that trade discussions involving Pettersson are nothing new. In fact, he revealed that conversations about moving the star forward date back to the previous management group.
“Jim Rutherford was trying to trade Pettersson, and this was after giving him the huge contract,” Dhaliwal said, highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding the situation.
The biggest obstacle remains the contract.
Pettersson carries an $11.6 million cap hit through the 2031-32 season, and his production has declined significantly from the level that once made him one of the league’s premier offensive players. Dhaliwal questioned why any contender would willingly take on that commitment.
“Is any team out there willing to take the $11.6 million on?” he asked while discussing the challenge facing Vancouver’s front office.
This question led directly to the Carolina rumors, which have circulated for years. While the Hurricanes were previously connected to Pettersson through discussions involving Martin Necas (now in Colorado), Dhaliwal believes the landscape has changed completely.
“People say Carolina’s got interest in Pettersson. They just won the Stanley Cup, and they want to add $11.6 million for a guy who’s gone downhill two years in a row?” Dhaliwal said in disbelief.
The comments serve as a reality check for those expecting Carolina to revisit old trade discussions. The Hurricanes have built a championship roster through smart cap management and value-driven acquisitions.
As host Don Taylor noted during the discussion, Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky often targets players whose value exceeds their price tag. Pettersson’s situation currently represents the opposite challenge.
Dhaliwal also confirmed that the previously reported discussions involving Necas were very real and came closer than many realized.
“Necas, absolutely, that was close, I will say that,” Dhaliwal said, acknowledging that meaningful talks took place in the past. However, he quickly poured cold water on the current speculation, adding, “But for people to think Carolina’s in on Pettersson, they just won the Stanley Cup and they want to add a guy with an underachieving, massive, horrible contract?”
For Vancouver, the issue goes beyond finding interested teams.
Pettersson owns a full no-movement clause, limiting the team’s flexibility. His 2025-26 season also did little to strengthen his market value after he recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 74 games, finishing with a minus-30 rating.
Despite these hurdles, Dhaliwal expects the speculation to continue. “The Pettersson trade talk never stops. It’s either at the trade deadline or at the NHL Draft. It never stops,” he said.
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For now, the Vancouver insider’s message was straightforward: interest around Pettersson remains real, but the idea of Carolina swooping in for a blockbuster appears far less believable than the rumor mill suggests.
