The Capitals should be buyers at the NHL trade deadline and should make a serious offer for Elias Pettersson from the Canucks.

The Capitals should be in on Elias Pettersson amid trade rumors and be willing to send top propsect Ryan Leonard the other way.

Selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (No. 46) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Sprong has 164 points (87 goals, 77 assists) in 363 regular-season games for the Kraken, Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Penguins.

Pettersson is the pie-in-the-sky acquisition. The Canucks, one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season, have a fractured locker room due to a schism between Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that a deal was close involving Miller but ultimately wasn’t finalized.

Pettersson scored a goal on three shots in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres. Pettersson ended his five-game goal drought, which covered all the time since he returned from an undisclosed injury. He had just one assist in that span.

The Montreal Canadiens announced Patrik Laine will not travel for Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals. Laine is out due to illness and will miss his fourth straight game.

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin addressed the ongoing struggles of Elias Pettersson during a press conference on Monday, striking a balance between critique and support for the star forward.

WASHINGTON — Canucks centre Elias Pettersson wasn't back on the ice when Vancouver met the Capitals in Washington on Wednesday, but another major player returned to the lineup. All-star goalie Thatcher Demko was on the bench as Kevin Lankinen's backup ...

by STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer TOPICS: WASHINGTON (AP ... Canucks: Playing still without injured center Elias Pettersson, they were better defensively than in their last game but could ...

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (upper body) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's tilt against Washington. He has missed five games due to an upper-body injury. Pettersson scored twice in his last appearance but has endured a difficult time this season,

Washington will have to give someone up. The Capitals should trade prospect Ryan Leonard as part of a package to land Elias Pettersson. Leonard is one of the top prospects in hockey after his ...

Might it be a Stanley Cup Final preview in Edmonton on Tuesday? The Oilers will host the Washington Capitals, who own the NHL’s best record at 31-20-5.