It came out not too long ago courtesy of the DFO Podcast, from Dimitri Filipovic, that the Sabres targeted Josh Norris to flip an Ellias Petterson Trade in the future. This wouldn’t be crazy considering the Sabres tried to trade for Petterson during the Trade Deadline, but Vancouver wasn’t interested in Dylan Cozens.
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That said, the Sabres got Josh Norris from the Senators, a more seasoned veteran who inked a large contract with the Senators at the start of the 22-23 season. Norris signed an 8-year, 63-million-dollar contract with an annual cap hit of 7.95 million per season.
If Pettersson does end up in Buffalo, Vancouver is going to need a contract to replace Pettersson’s which is where Norris and his value come in. Pettersson signed a whopping 8-year, 92-million-dollar contract at the beginning of the season with an annual cap hit of 11.6 million per season.
Buffalo is willing to take on the extra cap space, to get a talent like Pettersson who is just having a down season it seems. In the 22-23 season, Pettersson put up an insane 102 points, with 39 goals, and last year had 89 points with 34 goals. Now all of a sudden this season, he has 37 total points and a plus-minus of -13.
Why has Pettersson’s production fallen off?
Some would say it is the big contract hangover, as a lot of times when players sign big contracts in any sports they have a down year in their first season. In my opinion, it is the talent difference that Pettersson has with him this year compared to the last two years.
Vancouver had six All-Stars last year including Pettersson. Where are they now you ask? Well to start, Elias Lindholm left in free agency and joined the Boston Bruins.
Quinn Hughes has been hurt most of the year, J.T. Miller was traded to the Rangers during the Trade Deadline, and Brock Boeser has struggled just as much with a plus-minus of -22, as the Canucks have no plans of re-signing him.
Thatcher Demko their starting goalie is also on Injured Reserve, but that doesn't affect Pettersson as much.
Line 1 Combination
If Kevyn Adams brings back JJ Peterka as he should, you could be looking at one of the best lines in hockey. Peterka, Pettersson, and Tage Thompson all on the same line could legitimately make this team a contender.
Pettersson thrives in high-scoring offenses as his ability to create turnovers and capitalize on offensive chances have made him one of the best centers in hockey. If there is one thing the Sabres have done right this season, it is score, and I feel that Pettersson would do great with this combination, including Rasmus Dahlin, and Bowen Byram who are both incredible defensemen.
If Kevyn Adams is serious about changing the Sabres in the future, this may be a trade that he has to make.