NHL Trade Rumors: Insider floats blockbuster trade involving Elias Pettersson and $2,590,002 Wild forward

The reported rift between Vancouver Canucks’ star forwards Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller is the biggest story in hockey right now. The rumor mill is churning with speculations from NHL insiders and fans alike.

Sportnet's Ryan Dixon floated various potential blockbuster trades involving the Swedish center on Thursday. Minnesota Wild is a likely potential destination for Pettersson, Dixon claimed, given that the Wild have long been searching for a top center to round out their offense.

The analyst also pointed to trade rumblings about Minnesota’s current top center, Marco Rossi. The $2.59-million forward’s three-year contract expires at the end of the season.

“Marco Rossi’s name has been in trade rumors this season, just like Pettersson’s. Rossi’s play in the past month or so — 13 points in 12 games, though eight came during a three-game heater — will likely quiet chatter about the 23-year-old playing anywhere other than the ‘State of Hockey,’” Dixon wrote.

“But if GM Bill Guerin doesn’t think he and the pending RFA (Rossi) are in the same universe when it comes to a second contract and there’s a player of Pettersson’s ilk and age out there, that could make moving a great young piece like Rossi palatable,” he added.

Dixon drew a comparison between Pettersson’s current situation and that of former NHL players like center Joe Thornton and defenseman Zdeno Chara. He also identifies the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Anaheim Ducks as other possible trade destinations for Pettersson.

NHL analyst chooses Elias Pettersson over J.T. Miller to stay in Vancouver

On Wednesday, sports commentator Sam Cosentino opined that the Vancouver Canucks should be looking to trade J.T. Miller rather than Elias Pettersson. In a "Hot Topic" panel on Sportsnet, Cosentino said that Miller should be the one to go. He was also firm in his belief that the rift between the star players could not be mended.

The analyst stated that Miller’s $8 million cap hit, versatility on the ice, and solid playoff record make him highly marketable. He also said that offloading Miller would allow the Vans to resolve the situation efficiently.

"I say it's Miller who goes, that frees up Pettersson, that frees up the rest of the room to be more like themselves and allows the Canucks to push forward," he said.

Rumors of a feud between the 31-year-old Miller and 26-year-old Pettersson have been swirling around for eight weeks now.