Making sense of Elias Pettersson trade rumors to New York Islanders

The cost for New York Islanders to land Pettersson

So, here’s where things get tricky. According to Friedman, the Canucks are looking to get back a center. Also, the Canucks would like a defenseman, considering the hole they have with Filip Hronek’s injury this season.

That situation, per The Hockey News, points to the Islanders sending Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson to Vancouver.

Now, before anyone gasps for air, this deal could make sense for the Isles. Both Dobson and Nelson need new contracts. Said contracts won’t be cheap, especially Dobson. At the start of the season, I would have said, “Pay them.” But now, I’m not quite so sure.

Yes, both Dobson and Nelson are good players. But they’re both in contract years and haven’t shown the desire to earn a new, lucrative deal. That situation makes me wonder if it’s on them, or the Isles.

The fact is that shipping both off to Vancouver would kind of be handing over a hot potato to the Canucks. The Isles can hand off the uncertainty of having to re-sign both players, while the Isles get cost certainty with Pettersson’s $11 million cap hit.

Therein lies the dilemma for the Isles. Pettersson’s cap hit may be too much to fit under the cap. Even if the Isles added a cap dump like Pierre Engvall, the team would need to get creative to make the numbers work.

There’s one other thing: The Canucks are said to want a prospect in return. The team has their eye on prospect Danny Nelson, who had a solid World Juniors.

Personally, Dobson, Nelson x2, and perhaps a draft pick may be way too much for Pettersson. Sure, Pettersson is a great player, but not worth giving up so much to get him.

The deal looks good on paper, but I wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. Perhaps old Lou is just biding his time, waiting for the Canucks to get really desperate before pulling the trigger on a deal.

We shall wait and see.