Conflicting reports that Elias Pettersson wants out of Vancouver

It's been an absolutely dream season for the Vancouver Canucks and their fanbase.

The team is on top of the league and it finally looks like their core of Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller and Thatcher Demko are turning into bonafide NHL superstars. The only question for the team now is... can they keep it up?

Out of all those players, only Miller is signed long-term. Hughes has three more seasons on his deal, Demko has two and Boeser has one. Pettersson's deal is up after this season and there's some real concern in Vancouver that the man they call 'EP40' could be on his way out of town.

The Canucks have made it clear that they would like to sign Pettersson long-term, but there's still no deal to be announced. Pettersson himself has been quiet when asked about his future, but it's believed that he essentially told the team that he's not interested in in-season negotiations. Still, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that there's a eight year, $96 million deal waiting for Pettersson the moment he wishes to sign it.

From Pagnotta:

The Vancouver Canucks and centre Elias Pettersson are comfortable waiting for the end of the season to address the superstar’s contractual status.

The 25-year-old is on pace for a second-consecutive 100+ point season and is due for a nice raise. In fact, if he wants to commit to an eight-year extension tomorrow, he can.

According to a well-placed source tied to the club, the Canucks tabled Pettersson a long-term deal, believed to be eight years, worth $12 million per season at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign. That offer has not been rejected; it’s there for the taking. Pettersson simply wants to take his time, see how the season plays out and revisit his future in the summer.

This isn’t about money; Pettersson is focused on winning. That’s why he shut down talks last off-season – he wanted to fully prepare for this year and help the Canucks bring a championship to Vancouver. His patience, so far, is paying off.

The Canucks aren’t feeling any heat, either. They control his rights, as Pettersson can become a restricted free agent July 1 (with arbitration rights), but they aren’t applying any significant pressure. The deal is there for him when he’s ready for it. Right now, his priorities are elsewhere and that’s winning.

- David Pagnotta

This past weekend though, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported that teams are calling Canucks GM Patrik Allvin to inquire about Pettersson's availability. 

Now today, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal is reporting that the team is frustrated with Pettersson and the lack of any negotiations. Dhaliwal reports that a chance that the Canucks end up trading Pettersson if they can't lock him up.

From today's Donnie & Dhali podcast:

"Canucks aren't getting any indication from Pettersson that he wants to be here long-term. There's frustration there. I still have no intel he wants out. Up until now I always thought Pettersson would re-sign but I'm not so sure now. Vancouver's gotta do their homework... when it comes to a trade."

- Rick Dhaliwal

I, like Dhali, always just kind of assumed that Pettersson would re-sign with the Canucks. He's a perfect fit for the team and both he and the team are thriving. If indeed he does want out of town then there has to be something more at play here behind the scenes. Stay tuned, this could get spicy.