Why Blackhawks' Should Make A Move For Elias Pettersson

The Chicago Blackhawks could become one of the busier teams in March, as the trade deadline inches closer.

Players like Seth Jones and Taylor Hall have entered the rumor mill, as the team looks to recoup assets on expensive contracts. A contender could relieve the team of both player's average annual value (AAV) totaling $15.5 million.

But when they shop Hall or Jones they should look to Vancouver for a solution for themselves, and GM Patrik Allvin.

As drama stifles the chemistry in the Canucks' locker room, JT Miller and Elias Pettersson could end up being traded.

Pettersson is still young enough to fit into the Blackhawks' rebuild timeline at age 26, and Mark Lazerus recently proposed the trade and could be a great linemate for Bedard, as a playmaker with a solid shot.

The 26-year-old could provide depth down the middle that the team desperately needs behind Bedard as well, giving a real, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl picture in Chicago.

Even better? The Blackhawks would control his rights until the 2031-2032 season.

The row in Vancouver has plagued the team's locker room, as JT Miller sought to offer advice to his teammate.

The descension into conflict continued as Pettersson took a shot at Miller in the media publicly. Now, the team could end up trading either forward. This could mean that the Blackhawks could offer a solution.

The Hawks could afford Pettersson's cap hit, which could solve a problem that's long been brewing in Vancouver.

in 2022-20223, Pettersson scored 39 goals, and 102 points as one of the Canucks best players.

It'll be interesting to see how this story develops further, as the Blackhawks would benefit more from trading for a young star like Pettersson, than keeping veterans around much longer.