The Vancouver Canucks have officially entered a rebuild phase, with president Jim Rutherford stating the team is open to trade discussions for any player. This development has fueled speculation about superstar center Elias Pettersson's future, given his no-movement clause and underwhelming performance this season. Potential suitors include the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, and Los Angeles Kings.
The Vancouver Canucks' dismal 16-25-5 record has placed them last in the NHL, a stark contrast to their ambitions following an 18th-place finish last season. On January 16, 2026, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford confirmed the team's rebuild strategy in an interview with the Vancouver Province.
"It's our duty to take calls on everyone," Rutherford said. "We may end up saying no to offers, certainly, but we're not going to say no to having conversations about any player… I would like to think based on the number of young players that we have, that we've been able to pick up over the last few years, with high ceiling, that this rebuild can take two or three years, not six to 10."
This announcement aligns with reports from TSN's Darren Dreger, who noted the Canucks' management is "now using the rebuild word," opening the door for significant moves before the March 6 trade deadline. The team already traded defenseman Quinn Hughes earlier this season to build a younger roster.
At the center of trade chatter is 27-year-old Elias Pettersson, who has recorded 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 38 games, along with a -13 plus-minus rating. He missed time due to injury, but his $11.6-million cap hit and contract—running six more seasons after this one—have not matched expectations. Pettersson holds a no-movement clause, requiring communication with agent Pat Brisson for any potential deal.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos highlighted Pettersson as a trade candidate, listing Carolina as the top interested party, followed by Detroit and Los Angeles, which seeks a successor to retiring Anze Kopitar. "Vancouver's best interest is to prop up Pettersson a bit more, but the player also needs to play better for the Canucks to maximize their return in a possible trade," Kypreos wrote. For the Red Wings, averaging 3.06 goals per game (18th in the NHL), Pettersson could add scoring depth amid their own playoff push.
Dreger emphasized that while speculation heated up last offseason, current rebuild talks make a Pettersson trade more plausible, provided he waives his clause. The Canucks hold two first-round picks and could acquire more assets, potentially including a high 2026 draft selection like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg if they secure the top pick.
