The offseason has officially begun, and there are already some rumours swirling and agents coming to the defence of their clients.
On Friday, San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng mentioned that he believes
Vancouver Canucks defenceman
Marcus Pettersson might be eager to move: “I’m just saying Pettersson is motivated to move, I think,” said Peng. “That’s what I understand, or, that’s what I think, I don’t know that for sure.”
A few days later, Donnie & Dhali’s Rick Dhaliwal reached out to Pettersson’s agent, who strongly shot down the idea that Pettersson is ‘motivated to move.’
“I contacted Marcus Pettersson’s agent Peter Wallen and he says it is 1000% not true,” Dhaliwal shared via X/Twitter. “Wallen says Pettersson loves it in Vancouver and is thrilled to see what the new management crew will bring and lead them to. He is 1000% looking forward to next season.”
Pettersson, 30, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, along with Drew O’Connor, in a trade that sent a 2025 first-round pick (12th overall via the New York Rangers from the JT Miller trade), Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, and prospect Melvin Fernstrom out East. Shortly after Pettersson was originally acquired, he signed a six-year, $5.5 million extension with the Canucks.
The 6’5″ left-shot defenceman formed a shutdown, second pairing with Tyler Myers, averaging 21:09 minutes per game, and the most penalty kill time (2:23) on the team. The defensive defenceman still managed to produce a goal and 10 assists for 11 points and a plus-eight rating in just 31 games during his first stint in Vancouver.
Last season wasn’t as successful for the Swede. Pettersson was one of just three Canucks to play all 82 games, scoring three goals and 15 assists for 18 points with a minus-19 rating in 21:27 minutes of average ice time. Once his regular partner, Myers, was traded, Pettersson played most of the rest of the season with rookie Swedish defenceman Tom Willander.
Pettersson’s contract comes with a full no-movement clause for two more seasons, before shifting to a 15-team no-trade list for the final three years of the deal. But according to his agent, Pettersson doesn’t seem to have any desire to find a new home next season.
