The Chicago Blackhawks are currently one of the worst teams in the NHL. They are not going to be “buyers” at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, but this doesn’t mean they won’t make a trade.
No pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are expected to come to Chicago this season, as they aren’t even close to making the playoffs. However, there is a possibility that they could make a move to improve their long-term future.
The Vancouver Canucks have some internal problems right now that might force them to make a big trade. Tension between superstars J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson has caused real issues within the organization.
Many reports suggest that the Canucks could trade one or both of these players. If Pettersson is available, the Blackhawks should definitely consider it. He is 26 years old and would instantly become one of Chicago’s top players.
The impact that a player like Elias Pettersson could have on Connor Bedard is hard to ignore. For this reason alone, Kyle Davidson should think about working out a deal.
The main issue with Pettersson is his contract. He will make $11 million a year until 2032. When he is playing at his best, he is worth that amount. But when he plays below his potential, it becomes hard to justify such a large salary.
Pettersson needs a change of scenery, and Chicago could be a perfect place for him. Even though his contract is expensive, acquiring him through a trade would likely cost a lot. Sometimes, to get a great player, you have to give up valuable assets. Here’s a potential trade package that might work:
To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson
To Canucks: Frank Nazar, Marek Vanacker, 2025 First-Round Pick (TOR)
For the Blackhawks to get a player like Pettersson, they would need to send some good assets back to Vancouver. Along with the 2025 first-round pick (which originally belonged to the Toronto Maple Leafs), Frank Nazar and Marek Vanacker would be part of the package.
Nazar and Vanacker were both recent first-round picks by Chicago, and both are expected to contribute to the NHL in the future. Nazar is already in the NHL, learning the ropes after a great first half of the year with the Rockford IceHogs.
Marek Vanacker is playing for the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL. While he may not have the same high ceiling as Nazar, he could still develop into a solid NHL player with the right guidance.
Vancouver has the resources and staff to help develop players at all levels. They have successfully turned a lot of talent, including Pettersson, into NHL regulars. A deal like this would help their current team and future, should they need to move on from Pettersson.
Another possible trade package could look like this:
To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson
To Canucks: Sacha Boisvert, Oliver Moore, 2025 First-Round Pick (TOR)
This trade also includes the Toronto first-round pick, along with Oliver Moore and Sacha Boisvert. Like the previous package, these are both first-round picks by the Blackhawks.
Sacha Boisvert is currently playing for the University of North Dakota. He leads the team in scoring and is one of the most impressive freshmen in college hockey.
Oliver Moore just won his second straight Gold Medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships. He plays for the University of Minnesota, where he consistently performs well in all areas of the game.
Both players are solid two-way forwards who hope to bring their skills to the NHL one day. Moore, in particular, has the speed needed to keep up with the fastest players in the NHL. Vancouver already has a few players with similar skills.
If the Canucks were to accept this trade, it would mean they are okay with waiting at least another year before seeing the return of this trade in the NHL. It’s not the situation they would have wanted, but it’s hard to predict the outcome of this situation in the long run.
To Canucks: Jason Dickinson, Taylor Hall, Artyom Levshunov, 2025 Sixth-Round Pick
There could be a situation where the Blackhawks are willing to offer a high price for a star like Elias Pettersson. He has scored 180 goals and 261 assists for a total of 441 points in 443 games played.
He is just two points shy of a point-per-game average, but this season has been a bit below his usual standards. He has 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 36 games played.
Many NHL players would be happy with those numbers, but we are used to seeing more from Pettersson. If he gets a fresh start and is in a better situation, he could easily bounce back.
Giving up two NHL players, a top prospect, and a sixth-round pick in 2025 would be a big cost, but the return could make it worthwhile.
Taylor Hall and Jason Dickinson would both fit into Vancouver’s lineup right away, as they believe they can still compete for a playoff spot if they make a move to improve their team.
Artyom Levshunov, however, is the key player in this trade. He was the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, but he is still developing. Vancouver would need to work with him, but he could be very valuable if he reaches his full potential.
These trades are risky for the Chicago Blackhawks, but they are also risky for the Vancouver Canucks, who already have a superstar in Pettersson.
It could end up being a move that benefits both teams and the players involved (including the current Vancouver roster dealing with internal issues), but it’s not an easy decision to make. Only time will tell if neither, one, or both of these players are traded before the March deadline and whether it will be a wise choice.
