Multiple teams remain interested in Canucks' Elias Pettersson despite recent concerns emerging

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets have been involved in trade discussions for Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson.

As with other interested parties such as the Buffalo Sabres, however, concerns arise regarding whether Pettersson is worth his big-ticket price tag anymore. Has he lost his edge, or is it a dip?

Teams wonder who Pettersson is nowadays. Is it the 102-point player of two years ago, or the player who can no longer make a case for himself at $11.6 million in Year 1 of a new deal?

His unpredictability and public feud with J.T. Miller have many speculating whether Pettersson, a sensitive player, will forever pay a long-term price for it.

We know criticism doesn't sit well with Pettersson, and that such a spotlight in this campaign could be responsible for his dip in production. With only 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 45 games, his output rang alarm bells.

Were he producing at the level of the superstar who signed that gargantuan deal, then teams would stand in line to make a trade for him.

As mentioned earlier, the Sabres and Blue Jackets are inquiring about Pettersson, and there are roughly six more teams who are interested too.

With a full no-movement clause taking over beginning in July, no one wants to bet big on such a big-ticket price tag with no guarantee that he'll regain form. With a salary cap boost, concerns could ease.

With a reduced price tag, according to LeBrun, talks could begin in earnest. For now, teams that are interested are still hesitant, holding out for him to regain form.