The Vancouver Canucks have been linked with a big fish on the trade market.
The Canucks were specifically named as one of the interested teams in Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Marcus Pettersson by The Athletic’s Josh Yohe.
The Swedish blueliner has one goal and seven assists for eight points in 20 games so far this season. He finished last year with 30 points despite not playing at all on the power play.
Pettersson has not only been able to put up points, he’s also got the size that this current Canucks coaching staff covets. At 6-foot-5, he has a long reach and is another big body.
He’s played the most five-on-five minutes of any Penguins blueliner so far this season. He’s posted the best-expected goals share during that time, helping his team control 56.54% of the xG.
If the Canucks aren’t the team to acquire the lanky defenceman, he could end up in the hands of a division rival. The Edmonton Oilers are also interested and will pursue the blueliner, who is “as good as gone,” according to Yohe.
The Canucks bottom-four defence has been shaky to start the season, and it’s been reported that they have been combing the trade market for some time.
The Penguins are on the brink of a massive rebuild and are expected to trade many of their players. Pettersson has been outlined as someone likely on the move for some time now.
What I’m hearing about the Penguins, who could be traded next, the team’s top prospects and more: https://t.co/saSB6ctBkS
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) November 18, 2024
The two organizations have a close relationship as many of the current Canucks management staff worked for the Penguins in their prior job. That also means that the current Canucks regime is intimately familiar with Pettersson’s game.