NHL Insider Hints at Impending Exit for Vancouver Canucks Star Forward Elias Pettersson

After last Friday's deal that sent J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, it was reported by Thomas Drance of The Athletic that the Vancouver Canucks have taken Elias Pettersson off the trade block, but is it possible that he still gets moved before March 7th?

In four games since the J.T. Miller trade, Elias Pettersson has recorded just one assist, five shots on goal and is a minus-one, which is not what the Vancouver Canucks were hoping for.

Patrik Allvin and the Canucks were going to be patient with Elias Pettersson following the Miller trade in order to give him some time to get going and start producing following that rumored rift with his former teammate.

On Friday's edition of the Barn Burner podcast, TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger said that he believes Elias Pettersson's time in Vancouver is running out, with the trade deadline just 27 days away.

If the Vancouver Canucks opt to move Elias Pettersson before Friday, March 7th, there won't be a shortage of teams lining up for their chance at acquiring the 26-year-old Swede, despite his lack of production and his hefty contract.

In recent weeks, a number of teams have been linked to Elias Pettersson, including the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets, both of whom could be the front-runners if the Canucks forward is placed back on the trade block.

However, Elias Pettersson's $11.6 million cap hit may scare teams away, even with the NHL's salary cap expected to take a $25 million jump over the next three seasons, and there likely won't be much of an appetite from Vancouver to retain any money in a trade involving the Sundsvall, Sweden native.

In 48 games this season, Pettersson has registered 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), 12 penalty minutes and is a minus-four.