The Detroit Red Wings could soon land one of the most prized trade candidates in hockey. Detroit is expected to be a buyer in the market ahead of the March 6 deadline. Although they are currently near the top of the Atlantic Division standings, the team has its needs. The Red Wings are middle of the pack in both scoring and goals allowed in 2025-26.
While multiple players have been linked to Detroit, the club is now being named as a top suitor for Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson. Vancouver is open for business and willing to trade practically anyone on its roster. The Canucks have already shipped out Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood, and they do not look like they will slow down anytime soon.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli recently revealed that the Red Wings are eyeing a potential deal for Pettersson. “One team that I’ve heard that has been among the interested teams is the Detroit Red Wings,” Seravalli stated on Canucks Central. “They’ve got a history, of course, with some high-profile Swedes. They’re another team that Pettersson brings a different element to in that high-skilled center position that they don’t have.”
“And I think they’ve got the wherewithal and future pieces, most importantly, to make it make sense for the Canucks. They also have cap flexibility. The Detroit Red Wings can easily absorb Pettersson’s contract and the risk that comes with it.”
Detroit Red Wings Have the Money and Assets to Acquire Elias Pettersson
GettyElias Pettersson currently leads the Vancouver Canucks in points with 29.
As Seravalli points out, any team looking to acquire Pettersson essentially has to check three specific boxes. They obviously want to acquire a top center like the Canucks star, but they also have to have available cap space, as well as a solid prospect pool.
Firstly, the Red Wings could use an upgrade at the center position behind Dylan Larkin. Andrew Copp is certainly a capable player at the position and would become a very solid number three if Pettersson arrives.
Detroit also has plenty of money to work with at the moment. According to PuckPedia.com, the Red Wings have the second-most current cap space in the entire league. Although Pettersson has an $11.6 million AAV hit, Detroit could quite easily afford the star, even before Vancouver retains some of the money.
The center is under contract until the summer of 2032 as well. This is particularly notable as Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman prefers to acquire players with team control.
Finally, the Red Wings have a solid prospect pool. ESPN previously ranked the team as the 14th-best pipeline in hockey. Carter Bear, Nate Danielson, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard are all highly-rated within the organization.
Pettersson has Control Over his Future due to Contract Clause
Seravalli is not the only one in the industry to link the Red Wings with Pettersson. Bleacher Report’s Joe Yerdon also specifically pointed to Detroit as a top potential landing spot for the star. Yerdon named the three key reasons above as to why the club would be in a good place to make the move.
The Red Wings, however, will obviously have intense competition in their pursuit of Pettersson. Several other contenders are also expected to be interested in the center. Ultimately, the veteran Swede can help choose his next team due to a no-move clause in his current contract.
Red Wings Interested in Landing Star Center via Trade