The Vancouver Canucks signed Elias Pettersson to an eight-year, $92.8 million contract extension in March, ensuring he wouldn’t hit restricted free agency and committing to the 26-year-old as a core piece for the future. Less than a year later, Petterson is at the center of NHL rumors ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.

The Canucks are quickly falling out of the playoff race in the Western Conference, and this player could help them turn things around.

After embarrassing losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers, the Canucks looked steady and composed as they beat the NHL-leading Washington Capitals 2-1. It didn’t hurt that captain Quinn Hughes had another MVP-caliber game with two goals, the first of which was highlight-reel worthy.

Quinn Hughes scored twice and the Vancouver Canucks beat NHL-leading Washington 2-1 on Saturday night, keeping Capitals star Alex Ovechkin 20 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s league record