It was already inching close to the NHL trade deadline, and if there’s one name running rampant in the rumor mill, it must be that of Elias Pettersson. With each passing day, more and more interest seemed to grow from other teams. The star forward of the Vancouver Canucks is one hot trade candidate, and some say the New York Islanders will indeed try hard to try their luck on the talented center. But before all the speculation starts running wild, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin is here to put some of those rumors to rest. At least, that’s what he wants everyone to believe.

The 26-year-old Swede isn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard like he has in previous seasons, but he remains a formidable player. 29 points, 10 goals, and 19 assists in 39 games isn’t exactly slumping, but for a guy making $11.6 million a year on an eight-year deal, expectations are sky-high. And when a superstar isn’t performing at MVP levels, the trade buzz starts swirling. So, is Pettersson really on the move? Or is this just another deadline fantasy cooked up by fans and analysts?

Allvin shuts down the Elias Pettersson trade rumors—for now

This Canucks’ rollercoaster season has made fans restless all season. With a great run during the 2024 campaign to win the division and making such a good postseason run, it seems all is forgotten now. This team is desperate in its bid to claw back for a wild-card playoff position and is just one point away from reaching this year’s. To avoid pressure with trade rumors buzzing all around about his franchise player, Allvin jumped ahead.

“He’s been working on his game. I feel like he’s about to take steps here and get back to his level that he is capable of,” Allvin told NHL.com.

Translation? The Canucks aren’t selling yet. Pettersson is still a cornerstone of the franchise, and though he isn’t scoring 100+ points like last season, the team feels he’s getting back on track.

But here comes the interesting thing: Pettersson has no trade protection, which means the Canucks can decide to shake things up while not asking this guy for permission to swap him. In the background, it happens to be the New York Islanders.

Islanders lurking—and they want Pettersson badly

Despite Allvin’s bold assertion, the Islanders are not yet ready to concede. According to reports, they have been tracking Pettersson for weeks, and insiders claim their interest remains as keen as ever. A big reason? Bo Horvat. Former Canucks captain and New York leader, the former Canucks player wasn’t afraid to say he’s had his share of battles with New York players as a teammate to current Islanders counterpart Bo Horvat.

“He’s so good. He’s got such skill and such poise with the puck. He’s good at both ends of the rink. They’re lucky to have him,” says Horvat. That doesn’t sound like a guy who’d mind reuniting with an old linemate, does it?

It’s not even a question of how good Pettersson is, but reportedly, the Islanders will come hard in the market with an aggressive offer that can convince the Vancouver management, who are seeking to trade defender Noah Dobson, 25. He’s a future offense-defenceman. But now, with his deal due to run out shortly, the Islanders would not care too much for keeping him since Pettersson comes across as more like a difference-maker.

And let’s be real—if Vancouver wants to make a deep playoff run, strengthening their defense would be a smart move. Will Pettersson Stay or Will He Go? Allvin is talking big on keeping Pettersson, but this is the NHL trade deadline—things can change fast. The Canucks are in win-now mode and may just make that deal if the right opportunity knocks on the door. Pettersson said yesterday he wants to stay, but with zero trade protection, he may not as well hold a lease to his accommodations. The Islanders are hiding in the weeds, the Canucks are still trying to figure things out, and the trade deadline is only seven weeks away as well. If you are a Vancouver fan, buckle up because things are about to get interesting.