Vancouver Canucks Trade for Marcus Pettersson, Drew O'Connor from Pittsburgh

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O'Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for a conditional first-round pick, forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, and prospect Melvin Fernstrom. This trade follows the Canucks' earlier deal with the New York Rangers, obtaining a first-round pick which is part of the exchange with Pittsburgh. The conditional nature of the pick means it could be a 2025 or an unprotected 2026 pick, depending on its position in the draft. Pittsburgh Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas emphasized the trade aligns with their strategy to enhance future competitiveness by acquiring young talent and draft capital. Meanwhile, Pettersson and O'Connor, both unrestricted free agents after this season, will add depth to the Canucks. The Penguins continue to focus on rebuilding while aiming for immediate competitiveness, with this deal marking their fifth trade since the season began.