Sportsnet Analyst Links Canucks' Elias Pettersson to Canadian Team In Blockbuster Trade Rumor

Despite him recording 26 points in 30 games this season, trade rumblings tied to Elias Pettersson's availability really seemed to pick up a ton over these last few weeks.

A big-time hockey analyst, Mike Futa, spoke up, too. The thought was the idea that a possible Elias Pettersson trade involving the Montreal Canadiens got thrown around on Sportsnet's 'The Fan' hockey show.

The reason Mike Futa said such a transaction could make sense was because he was proposing the Canucks move Pettersson and a second-round selection to the Habs for Christian Dvorak, David Savard, and Cole Caufield in return.

While the Canadiens really do need to strengthen down the middle, it's not as if President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and General Manager Kent Hughes have traditionally been gun-shy about moving out valuable assets.

Adding in Pettersson would be exciting, but moving Cole Caufield just doesn't feel very likely.

Three years younger than Pettersson, Caufield is on a much friendlier contract, eight years at $7.85 million AAV, and has outproduced the Swedish forward this season with 17 goals and 12 assists in 31 games.

There is still a possibility of trading David Savard or even Christian Dvorak as a moveable piece before the trade deadline.

Both of these are impending free agents and are less likely to sign again for the Canadiens after the end of this season, especially Dvorak.

Both Savard and Dvorak will have their share of phone calls from teams heading to the playoffs. Any Caufield trade would likely be off the table unless an overwhelming offer comes along.