Another major trade pulled off, this time involving a Red Wings rival
There was yet another major trade pulled off in the late hours on Friday night, as the Vancouver Canucks wheeled and dealed for the second time in a few hours.
The Vancouver Canucks had already swung a major deal on Friday, sending the disgruntled J.T. Miller as part of a trade package to the New York Rangers in exchange for Filip Chytil.
But the Canucks weren't done trading on Friday, as just before midnight, they swung another trade with an Eastern Conference club.
They traded Danton Heinen, defenceman Vincent Desharnais, the rights to forward Melvin Fernstrom and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (acquired from New York Rangers) to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O'Connor.
It was the second deal that the Canucks had executed in a few hours; the Miller deal officially brought to a close what was an uncomfortable era of turmoil in the Canucks locker room thanks to a confirmed rift between Miller and teammate Elias Pettersson, who remains with the club - for now.
Canucks president (and former Red Wings goaltender) Jim Rutherford, who pushed back against the claims of both Miller and Pettersson that there was no problem between them, said recently that efforts to play peacemaker failed.
The Trade Deadline falls on March 7 this year, and there's no telling if the Canucks have any intention of holding onto Pettersson for longer than they have to.
There have already been multiple rumours swirling in recent days connecting Pettersson to the likes of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
