At this point, the Detroit Red Wings have nothing to lose.
Their goal entering this offseason was to obtain a top line winger and a second line center to round out the team's top-six. Now, recent news has added another wrinkle into the equation: the need for a top line center.
Captain Dylan Larkin isn't the only center in the NHL in search of a fresh start. One player has actually been on the hunt for a new home for years.
That player is Elias Pettersson.
The Vancouver Canucks center has had a rough go of the last few seasons, from his very public feud with J.T. Miller to the team completely bottoming out in 2025-26. Pettersson has been on the search for a new team for a long time -- and the Cancuks have been on the hunt for a trade partner.
Could a deal be possible between the two teams?
Given Larkin's ridiculous trade list, a one-for-one deal isn't possible. But another deal might manifest itself this offseason:
How Pettersson would help the Red Wings
Elias Pettersson is just three seasons removed from an 89 point campaign. Before that, he scored a jaw-dropping 102 points in 80 games with the Canucks. It's clear that, when he's given the opportunity to succeed, he takes it. The 27-year-old center, when he's on, is one of the most dynamic centers in the NHL.
Adding Pettersson to the roster would immediately fill the void left by Larkin -- and it might even add some surplus offense in the process. While last season's 51 points aren't remarkable in their own right, it's important to note how much of a mess the Canucks were last season. They traded their captain, Quinn Hughes, long before the deadline. Before that, J.T. Miller caused a huge divide among the organization.
That said, this trade does come with its own set of risks.
Why trading for Pettersson would be a gamble for the Red Wings
Elias Pettersson has five years left on his contract making around $11.6M per season. His current value, given dips in production, will make him a buy low candidate, but that purchase comes with a heavy risk. If Pettersson isn't able to return to form, his contract could easily become one of the worst in the NHL.
Maybe it already is one of the worst contracts in the NHL.
Either way, barring a miracle, this is the closest the Red Wings can get to replacing Larkin this offseason. While it might be nice to hope for someone like Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken or Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the likelihood of either team playing ball with a trade is extremely low.
The Canucks, on the other hand, are entering a long, long rebuild. They'll look to acquire as many assets as they possibly can through this process.
It takes two to tango. Are the Canucks up for a dance?
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