Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet Puts Elias Pettersson in the Doghouse with Major Demotion in the Lineup

It's been a tough season for Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and in recent weeks he's found his name in trade talks after the team reportedly began testing the market for him.

So far, at least two teams have shown interest in Elias Pettersson - the Carolina Hurricanes, prior to last night's last night's Mikko Rantanen trade, and some reports suggesting that the Utah Hockey Club have been in talks regarding the Swede.

Pettersson is in the first year of an eight-year contract that sees him earn $11.6 million annually and so far, he hasn't lived up to that deal, registering just 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 41 games and it appears that he's set for a major demotion tonight against the Washington Capitals.

After spending all season in Vancouver's top-six, including Thursday's loss to Edmonton in his usual 1C spot, Elias Pettersson has been handed a pretty big demotion.

During the morning skate at Rogers Arena, the Vancouver Canucks went through line rushes and Elias Pettersson was skating on the third line with fellow Swedes Nils Hoglander and Linus Karlsson as his wingers.

We'll have to wait and see what Elias Pettersson's ice time looks like once the game is finished tonight, but despite still being on still being on the first power play unit, it wouldn't be a shock to see his final totals in around 14-15 minutes.

As the Vancouver Canucks continue talking trade with teams regarding Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, they'll be hoping that those two start picking up their game to a point where they can maximize the return they get in any deal prior to the deadline on Friday, March 7th.

Puck drop for tonight's game against the Washington Capitals on Hockey Night in Canada is set for 7 pm PT and can be viewed on Sportsnet and CBC.