NHL News: Elias Pettersson, Canucks reportedly shaping up as strong candidates to land Alex Ovechkin's former sidekick

Not much has transpired from the Vancouver Canucks in the past few days of the NHL offseason. However, it’s never too late to shock the league with a surprising signing. On that note, an insider believes Elias Pettersson and company might be in prime position to land a former teammate of Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

The Canucks stayed busy for the opening weeks of free agency, but have taken a more conservative approach since. After trading away Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs, there’s one area left to address, though.

After spending the 2024-25 season in the KHL with the SKA Saint Petersburg, former Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov is reportedly eyeing a return to the NHL. It remains unclear where he’d sign, but if the 33-year-old is serious, then there won’t be a shortage of suitors to land him.

Apparently, Ovechkin and the Capitals might not be the first option for Washington’s former first-round pick in the 2010 NHL entry Draft.

Is Vancity next?

Among them, perhaps the Canucks have almost everything already in place for such an arrival. It might be the perfect boost for Pettersson and company prior to the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Carolina Hurricanes laughs against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center on April 14, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

“The Vancouver Canucks could use another center,” The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa commented. “Vancouver has $3.27 million available in salary cap space, but Kuznetsov’s agent said he’s not an $8 million player anymore and could be a steal for cap-strapped teams. If signed to a cheap, one-year deal, Kuznetsov could be a solid low-risk, high-reward addition for the Canucks.”

see also

NHL News: Former teammate of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin leaves for surprising destination in free agency

Other landing spots that make sense

Of course, if the Stanley Cup-winning centerman actually pursues a return to the league, he’d draw interest from several organizations. However, he’ll also have preferences of his own, which could narrow down the list of suitors.

Based on The Hockey News’ article, other potential landing spots for Kuznetsov could be the Colorado Avalanche and the Boston Bruins. The two teams, however, aren’t cut from the same cloth. While the Avs are poised to be one of the biggest threats in the West, the Spoked B is sailing through turbulent waters, with a full rebuild looming if things take an even sharper downturn.