The Vancouver Canucks' highest-paid superstar is trending in the wrong direction, something that dated back to last season, Elias Pettersson [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwMDcxMjc1NjA1ODYxODU0/usatsi_24450345_168400847_lowres.jpg] Elias Pettersson It's the very early question everyone in the hockey world wants answered: What is wrong with Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson? The numbers and the eye test suggest that something is indeed not right with the former 100-point player. In the first four games of this season, Pettersson has one assist [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/players/what-the-analytics-say-about-canucks-elias-petterssons-first-three-games-of-the-2024-25-season] and six shots on goal. He did block four shots in the Canucks' 3-2 overtime win [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/game-day/the-stats-behind-game-4-canucks-3-panthers-2-ot] over the Florida Panthers Thursday night, but the Canucks are not paying him $11.6 million a year to stand in front of shots. Only Pettersson would be able to disclose what, if anything, is wrong. But he simply does not even resemble a dominant player at the moment. Most of his offensive thrusts are one-and-done, and he's gone long stretches where it's difficult to even notice him. It would not be so troubling if this were not a trend that went back to last season in general, and in particular after he signed his current contract extension. Is the pressure of that deal weighing on him? Is the knee tendinitis he played through [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/players/elias-petterssons-injury-explains-lack-of-playoff-production-2024] last season still bothering him? Has he lost his confidence, at least temporarily? Great players work themselves out of these things, and there's no reason to believe Pettersson will be an exception to that pattern. But the longer this baffling play goes, the louder the criticism is going to get. Here's more in today's video column: The Vancouver Canucks' highest-paid superstar is trending in the wrong direction, something that dated back to last season, (Don't see the video? Click here [https://thehockeynews.com/video/questions-raised-about-vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson].) Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum [https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/THNHOME/posts].
