Mar 16, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) walks onto the bench during warm up prior to a game against the Utah Hockey Club at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn ImagesThe 2024-25 season was disappointing for center Elias Pettersson. He dealt with injuries throughout the year, while his rift with J.T. Miller reached a level that forced the organization to trade the 32-year-old to the New York Rangers. Overall, Pettersson recorded 45 points in 64 games, which was the second-lowest of his seven-year NHL career.
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In a new interview with the 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon podcast, President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford discussed Pettersson's future and what needs to change for him to be successful. Pettersson just concluded the first year of his eight-year contract, which carries a cap hit of 11.6 million. According to Rutherford, Pettersson is already making progress, which included staying in Vancouver after the season to start his off-season training.
"It's very encouraging," said Rutherford. "And I know it's just a very short period of time, two weeks since we've been finished here, but he is working very hard. And I got that unsolicited from our strength conditioning guys. They called me, and he's gone back to Sweden now, I believe. He's definitely left Vancouver, but he stayed for an extra week, and he was in working every day and working harder than anybody seen him work. So that's encouraging. That's really the answer to your question. If he prepares this summer, there's not going to be a problem. He's got the ability. He just has to improve his work ethic, and he doesn't like what happened this year. He doesn't like getting beat down during this season for not having the year that he's capable of. So he's got a lot to motivate him, and I believe he'll do it.
Rutherford was then asked if Pettersson needs to mature more heading into next season. As was pointed out in the interview, the Canucks play in a very tough market, where the pressure from fans and media can often get to players. Rutherford pointed out that while this was a tough season for Pettersson, physically and mentally, he hopes that this year will serve as a learning opportunity for the 26-year-old.
He's matured to the point that he understands there's a process, and people are here to help. Okay, he's a guy that is very private, tries to do things on his own, and I think he gets it. Now, there's a reason why we have a medical staff, there's a reason why we have team doctors, there's a reason why we have a strength conditioning staff. There's a reason, why we have a development staff. Those are all tools that he can use that he really didn't use properly, and I believe that he understands by doing that, it's going to make it easier for him to get back to where he should be... For Pettersson, I wouldn't say it's totally physical. I believe some of it's mental. I believe the situation that flared up in the first half of the season affected him mentally, and so, when you eventually get through one of those, you learn from them. You learn how to be stronger, and my hope is that that's where he's at."
For Vancouver to be successful next season, they need Pettersson to reestablish himself as one of the top centers in the league. While his defensive metrics were positive, he needs to find a way to get back above a point per game, as he has been for the majority of his career. While there is no guarantee that he will be on the roster next season, as the Canucks could trade him before his no-movement clause kicks in on July 1, it appears that the organization and Pettersson are ready to do whatever it takes to move past the difficult 2024-25 campaign, and focus on the future.
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