Nation Sites
The Nation Network
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
LeBrun thinks Canucks are willing to retain salary in an Elias Pettersson trade

Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jun 18, 2026, 13:45 EDTUpdated: Jun 18, 2026, 13:43 EDT
Under new management this summer, the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly continuing to shop some of their veteran players.
On Wednesday, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun joined Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer to share the latest rumblings he’s hearing from across the NHL. Asked about the situation with Elias Pettersson in Vancouver, LeBrun reported that he’s available for a trade, but discussed the complications in getting a deal done:
“I’ve talked to some teams over the last few days that say (Pettersson)’s definitely available,” LeBrun said. “So is (Brock) Boeser, obviously so is (Jake) DeBrusk. The Canucks, you know, they want to tear it all down, to continue the rebuild. But Pettersson, that salary. The Canucks would have to be willing to retain, which I think they are. Which is a huge commitment, by the way, given all the years left on that deal … But even then, I talked to a team today that said, we just don’t know if we can get him back to a certain level, even at a rebate. So, I mean, bottom line is yes, the Canucks have talked to teams and they’re willing to move him. But I just don’t know if they can.”
Pettersson is heading into the third season of an eight-year agreement with an annual cap hit of $11.6 million. NHL teams are able to retain up to 50% of a players salary in a trade, which means that retaining salary to get a Pettersson deal done could mean the Canucks keeping over $5 million on the books through 2032.
The 27-year-old forward has seen a sharp decline in his production over the past two seasons. In the 2024-25 season, Pettersson tallied 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games. This year, he had 15 goals and 51 points in 74 games. It’s a stark contrast to the two years prior where he was a point-per-game player, including logging 39 goals and 102 points in the 2022-23 season.
LeBrun also notes Boeser and DeBrusk as players on the block for Vancouver. Boeser was originally selected by the Canucks in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He has been with the team since making his debut in the 2016-17 season. This year, he scored 22 goals and totalled 48 points. He has six years remaining on his contract with a $7.25 million AAV. Meanwhile, DeBrusk signed a seven-year deal with the Canucks on July 1st, 2024 as a free agent from the Boston Bruins. He has five years remaining on the deal with an annual cap hit of $5.5 million. DeBrusk had 23 goals and 42 points this season.
Sponsored by bet365
Breaking News
- LeBrun thinks Canucks are willing to retain salary in an Elias Pettersson trade
- NHL clears Babcock after investigation; Oilers free to hire him
- 6 high-ceiling swings the Canucks could target in the second round of 2026 NHL Draft
- Dhaliwal: Lots of chatter that teams are calling on Canucks’ Elias Pettersson
- Canucks re-sign Chase Wouters to a one-year, two-way contract
