Though the NHL trade deadline is more than two months away, rumors of potential player moves are already running rampant. The Blackhawks are a team still trying to find its identity, and as such, they’re at the center of many of these rumors. Whether there’s any element of truth to it or not, the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast speculated on a move Thursday that would be the biggest of the season.
A move to bring Elias Pettersson to Chicago isn’t completely out of the blue. For starters, the Blackhawks have more than enough resources to attract the superstar forward, who has 43 points in 36 games this year. With easily the most cap space in the league, the Blackhawks could make a compelling short-term offer and have cash to spare. They’re also armed with a barrage of first- and second-round picks over the next few years and could make a potential trade using that draft capital.
Additionally, the rise of rookie Connor Bedard is a big plus in attracting any free agents. One only needs to look at the rise of youngsters like Philipp Kurashev, who has enjoyed a boost in his game largely thanks to the skill of Bedard, to understand why any player, even a veteran superstar, would want to come to Chicago.
Or Maybe Not?
However, the recent news is nothing more than a rumor, and a flawed one at that. The presence of Bedard certainly seems to be a big plus in attracting a player of Pettersson’s caliber to Chicago. However, Pettersson is his team’s top-line center and will be reluctant to move anywhere else, but the Blackhawks obviously have their guy at that spot for the foreseeable future.
Pettersson has emphasized in the past that he prioritizes playing for a winner. He’s finally getting his wish in Vancouver with a team tied for the NHL lead in points. Will the superstar want to give that up in the future to come to a squad that, while improving, is still among the NHL’s worst?
As mentioned in the above video, Pettersson is an RFA at the end of this season. While the Blackhawks have plenty of cash to throw around next summer, their cap space can’t help them in that situation. Even if they send an offer to Pettersson that convinces him to sign an offer sheet, the Canucks can simply match the deal and retain his rights. They’ll almost certainly do so, as Pettersson is the best player on the best team in the league.
Finally, a trade to acquire Pettersson may not even be preferable for the Blackhawks. Though they’d be getting an extremely talented player, his stock is currently at an all-time high. Chicago would have to give up a huge package to get him, and for a team without much NHL talent, that means draft picks. The Blackhawks, as a franchise building from the ground up, would mortgage much of its future for one player, shortening their championship window and rushing the rebuild process.
Bringing one of the game’s biggest stars to Chicago would be a lot of fun, but there are too many reasons against Elias Pettersson becoming a Blackhawk to make it happen. The Blackhawks will likely be at the center of plenty of rumors over the next few months, but many of those won’t quite be feasible.
