Free Agent Frenzy on July 1 continues to draw closer and TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest news and rumours as the NHL off-season heats up.
Pettersson trade watch on again?
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province believes the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings could be potential suitors for struggling Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson.
Kuzma writes that the Kings have a hole to fill down the middle of their lineup following the retirement of Anze Kopitar, while the Red Wings will likely enter the centre market if captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request is honoured by the club.
Kuzma believes the Canucks may have to retain salary to move Pettersson but points 2023 first-round pick Nate Danielson or restricted free agent Marco Kasper as potentially worthy returns from the Red Wings. He is less sure of clear targets from the Kings in a Pettersson trade.
Pettersson, 27, had 15 goals and 51 points in 74 games with the Canucks this past as his production continued to decline for the second straight year.
The 6-foot-2 centre is entering the third season of an eight-year, $92.8 million contract with an annual cap hit of $11.6 million.
His future has been a significant source of speculation in Vancouver over the past two years and it is unclear where he fits as co-presidents Daniel and Henrik Sedin and general manager Ryan Johnson take over the team’s front office.
“I had a great conversation with Petey. I really enjoyed being able to just talk very openly and honestly about my feelings about his process and some of the adversity and some of the challenges – and there’s a lot of them based on the time he’s been here – but I wanted to hear him speak," Johnson said at his introductory press conference last week. “I wanted him to be able to speak without judgment, that he knew I was there to listen and not to judge, or to allow him just to speak openly and freely. I think the biggest thing, whatever happens here moving forward, is that I just wanted him to know that I was very comfortable with him just being himself.”
Pettersson has been one of the most productive offensive performers for the Canucks over his eight-year career and set a career-high in 2022-23 with 38 goals and 102 points in 80 games.
However, he struggled in 2024-25, recording 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games and butted heads with teammate J.T. Miller, who was eventually traded to the New York Rangers.
Drafted fifth overall by the Canucks in 2017, Pettersson has 200 goals and 508 points in 545 career games.
Matthews appears to be staying put
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun writes in The Athletic that “all signs point to Auston Matthews staying put and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.”
LeBrun notes that Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, has not formally indicated that yet, but it appears interested suitors such as the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Utah Mammoth will have to look elsewhere on the trade market.
Matthews finished last season with career lows in all statistical categories, recording 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games.
His year culminated with a season-ending injury on March 12 after sustaining a grade-three MCL tear and quad contusion from a knee-on-knee hit with Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas.
The Maple Leafs have overhauled their front office since then, replacing general manager Brad Treliving with John Chayka and the team is continuing to search for their next head coach.
The 28-year-old centre is signed for two more seasons at a cap hit of $13.25 million.
No trade request from Werenski
Another player who appears off the market is Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski.
LeBrun reports that despite speculation Werenski could follow his close friend Dylan Larkin in requesting a trade, no such request has been made to this point.
Werenski won his first career Norris Trophy earlier this month after posting 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games this season. He is the Blue Jackets’ all-time leader in goals and points by a defenceman.
LeBrun notes that a conversation about Werenski’s future will likely come at some point this summer between the blueliner and the Blue Jackets and it is unclear where that will lead.
The 28-year-old is also signed for two more seasons at a cap hit of $9.58 million.
