NHL trade tumors: Insider sheds light on Maple Leafs' interest in $92,800,000 Canucks forward amid team drama; names "more affordable" center targets

The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the rumor mill is in full swing. According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs have their sights set on Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson.

Pettersson, who is signed to an eight-year, $92.8 million contract with an $11.6 million cap hit, has been the subject of trade speculation amid reports of a rift between him and teammate J.T. Miller. Both players have publicly denied any issues, but the ongoing drama surrounding the Canucks has only fueled speculation.

Speaking on TSN's Insider Trading, Dreger suggested that the Maple Leafs are interested in Pettersson, but his steep price tag may be a deterrent.

"Yeah. But when you throw in Elias Pettersson there… you're looking at the higher end district, I would say, Petterson, Miller, Mika Zibanejad, maybe Dylan Cousins and the Maple Leafs are not in that category," Dreger said.

"I think the group that the Toronto Maple Leafs identified is a little bit more diverse.” He added.

Instead, Dreger believes the Maple Leafs are targeting more affordable center options, including Ryan Strome of the Ducks, Ryan O'Reilly of the Predators, Brock Nelson of the Islanders, Scott Laughton of the Flyers, Mikael Granlund of the Sharks, Yanni Gourde of the Kraken and Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Grizzlies as potential targets.

Overall, it seems Toronto is interested in upgrading at center, but Pettersson’s nearly $12 million cap hit makes him an unlikely acquisition.

NHL analyst chooses Elias Pettersson over J.T. Miller amid Canucks trade rumors

NHL analyst Mike Johnson sees Elias Pettersson as the preferable player for the Canucks to keep amid trade rumors involving Pettersson and teammate J.T. Miller.

Speaking on Overdrive, Johnson explained why he would choose the 26-year-old Pettersson and his $92.8 million contract over the 31-year-old Miller and his $56 million deal.

"You don't hang out, that's cool, but you just play, and it's fine. So if it's that deep, and I don't know what would make it be that deep, I have no idea," Johnson said.

"But if it's something like that, and I'm hopeful that the Canucks would know sort of the root of the discord, then maybe something has to give."

Johnson noted that the five-year age difference makes Pettersson’s contract more attractive for Vancouver in the long term. He also pointed out that trading Miller for Mika Zibanejad, as has been rumored, would likely make the Canucks worse in the short term.

Johnson added that retaining Pettersson makes more sense if Vancouver must trade one of their top two centers. Pettersson is younger, signed for longer and would be much harder to replace than Miller.