The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL. They certainly aren’t going to be “buyers” at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline but that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t make a trade.
No pending UFAs are coming to Chicago this season as they aren’t even going to sniff the playoffs. However, there is a chance that they will do something to improve their long-term future.
The Vancouver Canucks have some internal issues going on right now that may force them to make a huge move. The tension between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson (both superstars) has caused legitimate dysfunction within the organization.
Plenty of reports have it that the Canucks could trade one or both of them. If Pettersson is really on the table, the Blackhawks should consider it. He is a 26-year-old stud who would instantly come to Chicago and be one of their stars.
The positive impact that a guy like Elias Petterson could have on Connor Bedard can’t be overstated. For that reason alone, Kyle Davidson should be thinking about working something out.
The elephant in the room is Pettersson’s contract. He will make $11 million until 2032. When he is at his best, he’s worth every penny. When this situation makes him play well below his ceiling, it’s hard to justify him making this much.
Pettersson needs a change of scenery, and Chicago would be perfect for his services. Despite his hefty contract, getting him in a trade would cost a lot. Sometimes, you have to give up value to get value. One of these packages might be enough to get it done:
To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson
To Canucks: Frank Nazar, Marek Vanacker, 2025 First-Round Pick (TOR)
For the Blackhawks to get a player like this, some good assets must go the other way. In addition to the first-round pick in 2025 (it originally belonged to the Toronto Maple Leafs), Frank Nazar and Marek Vanacker go in this package.
Nazar and Vanacker were recent Chicago first-round picks, and both are hopeful NHL contributors. Nazar is already in the NHL learning the way after dominating the first half of the year with the Rockford Ice Hogs.
As for Marek Vanacker, he plays for the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL. He doesn’t have the same projected ceiling as Nazar but he could develop into a good player with the right development.
Vancouver has the players and staff currently equipped to develop guys at all levels. They have turned a lot of talent, including Pettersson, into NHL regulars. With a deal like this, they’d be helping their present and future if they must move on from Pettersson.
To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson
To Canucks: Sacha Boisvert, Oliver Moore, 2025 First Round Pick (TOR)
The Toronto first-round pick goes in this package along with Oliver Moore and Sacha Boisvert. Like the first trade package, both of these players are guys drafted in the first round by the Blackhawks.
Sacha Boisvert is currently playing for the University of North Dakota. As of now, he leads them in scoring and is one of the most impressive freshmen in the country.
Oliver Moore is fresh off his second straight Gold Medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships. He also plays college hockey at the University of Minnesota where he consistently delivers good play in all three zones.
Both of these guys are solid two-way players who hope to bring those abilities to the NHL someday. In the case of Moore, he has the speed needed to keep up with the top skaters in the NHL. Vancouver has a couple of those.
If the Canucks accepted a trade like this, that would mean that they are cool with the return for Petterson not impacting them at the NHL level for at least another year. That isn’t where they wanted to be but you never know what the result of this situation is long-term.
To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson
To Canucks: Jason Dickinson, Taylor Hall, Artyom Levshunov, 2025 Sixth Round Pick
There could be a world where the Blackhawks are willing to pay a hefty price for a star like Pettersson. He does have 180 goals and 261 assists for 441 points in 443 games played.
He’s two career points under a point-per-game pace and that’s because this season has just been okay for him by his standard. He has 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 36 games played.
A lot of NHL players would love that level of production but we’re used to seeing more from Pettersson. With a change of scenery and a happier situation, he is a good bet to bounce back.
Giving up two NHL players, a high-end prospect, and a sixth-round pick in 2025 would be a lot to give up but the return on investment might be worth it.
Taylor Hall and Jason Dickinson would both fit into Vancouver’s lineup right away as they believe they can still compete in the playoffs if they make a move to salvage their situation.
Artyom Levshunov, however, is the prized possession of this trade. He was the number two overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft but his development is still very raw. Vancouver would have some work to do with him but he would be very worth it if he reached his potential.
All of these trades are incredibly risky for the Chicago Blackhawks. At the same time, they are also incredibly risky for the Vancouver Canucks who have a superstar in Pettersson.
It may be the type of move that helps both teams and the players involved (including the current Vancouver roster battling through the drama) but it isn’t easy to make. Only time will tell if neither, one, or both are moved before the deadline in March and if it will have been a smart decision.
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