A possible deal involving star forward Elias Pettersson is apparently being discussed by the Vancouver Canucks and the Carolina Hurricanes. Talks had advanced to the point where the Canucks organization and the player himself had to make important decisions on the future of their partnership, according to Elliotte Friedman’s story on Sportsnet.ca. Pettersson’s post-RFA deal, worth $22,050,000, is still in effect.
According to Friedman’s sources, the two organizations’ talks had reached a critical point, which prompted Pettersson and the Canucks to assess their respective roles. In the end, the Canucks decided to try again to extend Pettersson’s contract, demonstrating their determination to hold onto the gifted forward.
Despite his prior preference to postpone contract talks until the offseason, Elias Pettersson gave his agents, Pat Brisson and JP Barry, permission to resume talks in light of the imminent prospect of a move. Pettersson was eager to take his contract negotiations through to the end of the season, according to several reports earlier in the season.
Should the Vancouver Canucks defy best practices and wait until the end of the season to extend the contract of Elias Pettersson?
Even if an extension hasn’t been decided upon yet, there seems to be a lot of movement in that direction. Positive progress was being made, according to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, and this might give the Canucks the much-needed clarity they need about their future salary cap situation in front of the impending trade deadline.
Throughout the season, the lengthy talks between Pettersson and the Canucks have been a major topic of discussion. According to reports, the team had even extended a contract to the young forward that would easily eclipse Roberto Luongo’s deal, which he signed more than ten years prior to become a Vancouver Canuck, and make him the highest-paid player in team history.
All signs point to Elias Pettersson intending to stay a Canuck despite his initial reluctance to commit to an extension, which had caused anxiety for both parties.
The Canucks were eager to minimize the possibility of their valued player becoming a restricted free agent because Pettersson’s contract was scheduled to expire at the end of the current campaign. For the organization, securing his long-term future in Vancouver has taken precedence. Regardless of their position in the standings, the team is clearly worried about losing a star player in free agency for nothing.
The hockey community is anxiously awaiting further information as talks move forward, since Elias Pettersson’s possible extension is expected to have a big impact on the Vancouver Canucks as well as the NHL as a whole.
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