As the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 6, Elias Pettersson has emerged as a compelling player to watch amid swirling trade rumors. Once hailed as a superstar center following back-to-back seasons of over 100 and 89 points, Pettersson’s recent production has sharply declined while his hefty $11.6 million annual salary poses challenges for potential acquiring teams.
While Carolina, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Utah have been the primary teams linked to Pettersson over the past weeks, a surprising new contender entered the conversation on Friday. Insider Jeff Marek raised the possibility of the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the race, sparking fresh speculation about a significant transaction before the deadline.
Emerging Discussion of a Potential Pittsburgh Landing Spot
Jeff Marek not only suggested the Penguins as a likely destination for Pettersson but also proposed a potential trade package Pittsburgh might offer to the Vancouver Canucks. Marek speculated that the deal could include promising young players and draft assets from Pittsburgh, contingent on Evgeni Malkin’s potential departure.
“Would it make some sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins? Now we all know that Rutherford loves dealing with his old team, same as Patrik Allvin. And this would, of course, be predicated on Malkin not returning. But would something like a Horcoff, Girard, Novak, two second-rounders, and Pittsburgh takes Elias Pettersson — does that sound like it gets the deal done?”
— Jeff Marek, Insider
Currently 27 years old, Pettersson is in the second year of an eight-year contract extension worth $92.8 million, signed with the Canucks in 2024. Despite elite scoring seasons earlier in his career, his offensive output has dipped remarkably during the 2025-26 season, with just 35 points across 50 games.
Evaluating Pettersson’s Fit with the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins possess the salary cap flexibility and valuable assets that could facilitate a deal for Pettersson, yet there are questions surrounding general manager Kyle Dubas’s willingness to pursue such a trade. Acquiring Pettersson at the proposed cost may be too costly for a team in the process of managing its roster and rebuilding strategy.
The prospective package Marek outlined involves Samuel Girard and two second-round draft picks, which are assets the Penguins might consider expendable. However, Will Horcoff and Tommy Novak appear less likely to be traded unless the return is a clear and impactful young star. Pettersson’s recent struggles and contract size introduce considerable risks that could deter Pittsburgh from parting with multiple key pieces.
Horcoff has gained attention for his strong performance at Michigan, positioning him as one of Pittsburgh’s top prospects. Meanwhile, Novak’s current contributions, as he finishes his first full season playing alongside Malkin, are comparable to Pettersson’s leaderboard figures this season.
If Dubas can negotiate a trade for Pettersson at a reduced price—reflecting his dip in production—it may attract interest. Otherwise, the Penguins might reserve their valuable assets for larger moves in the offseason, as seen in recent speculation around Jason Robertson.
Possible Outlook for the Trade Deadline and Beyond
With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away, interest in Elias Pettersson remains high but clouded by uncertainty. Should Pittsburgh choose not to pursue a high-cost deal, other suitors like Carolina, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Utah could intensify their efforts.
For the Canucks, moving Pettersson would alleviate salary cap constraints and potentially aid their rebuilding efforts. Meanwhile, acquiring teams must balance the risk of Pettersson’s recent decline against his proven scoring ability when healthy and motivated.
Marek’s suggestion of Pittsburgh entering the fray adds a new dimension to an already complex situation that could reshape roster strategies before the deadline. Beyond March 6, teams will continue monitoring streaming trade talks as they prepare for offseason opportunities, including the rumored Jason Robertson negotiations.
"We all know Jim Rutherford loves dealing with his old team and so does Patrik Allvin… does Elias Pettersson to Pittsburgh Penguins make sense?"#Canucks #LetsGoPens @mattsekeres | @justBlakePrice | @JeffMarek
Presented by @YellowDogBeer pic.twitter.com/HrXbZ6NUwY
— Sekeres and Price (@sekeresandprice) February 28, 2026
