"We All Know What Talent He Has And What He's Capable Of": Canucks GM Details What Elias Pettersson Needs To Do To Reach His Potential
Elias Pettersson has 33 points in 47 games this season.
On Thursday, Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin did an intriguing radio hit with Sportsnet 650. Allvin discussed a wide variety of topics, including the struggles of center Elias Pettersson. The 26-year-old has 33 points in 47 games and was involved in trade rumours prior to the organization moving J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers.
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Pettersson's struggles are amplified by the fact that he is the team's highest-paid player. The Swedish center signed an eight-year, $92.8 million contract extension at the end of last season and has the fifth-highest cap hit in the NHL. When asked about Pettersson's struggles this season, Allvin explained that in order for the 26-year-old to meet his potential, he needs to put in more work both on and off the ice.
"I think part of it is the preparedness," said Allvin. "How you come in every day and want to improve and work on your game. The league is changing. You can't just be doing the things you've done in the past. You gotta always get better. I think that's how the best players are continuing to be the best players in the league. I think that's where Elias has realized here that he's got to work on his game. We all know what talent he has and what he's capable of, and he's just gotta continue to work on his game."
Allvin was also asked if injuries have played a factor in Pettersson's disappointing start to the season. Pettersson was dealing with tendinitis in his knee last season, which caused some training issues in the summer. He also missed six games earlier this season with an injury. When asked about how healthy Pettersson is currently, Allvin kept it brief, saying, "He missed a couple of games with an upper-body injury around Christmas, I believe, but otherwise, he's played every game."
As mentioned, Pettersson has been involved in trade rumours this season. In fact, according to multiple reports, he was almost traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of January. When asked about Pettersson's future with the organization, Allvin made clear that they still believe in the 26-year-old but that he needs to step up his game if he wants to live up to his potential.
"No. We all know what he's capable of doing and have done in the past. I think when you are becoming an elite player in the league, obviously, all the other teams are taking more notice of you and playing you harder, different matchups. I think that's where you got to understand that you are always going to push forward. Every day is an opportunity to get better, and that's a mindset you need to come in with. When he does work on his game, he will get back to the potential he has. I believe we have all the resources on our staff to help him, and he's definitely been humble and expressed that he is willing to do it."
Simply put, the Canucks need Pettersson to find his form and return to the 102-point player he was in 2022-23. If not, it could result in not only the team missing the postseason but a potential trade before his no-movement clause kicks in this offseason. While it is clear that Allvin and Vancouver's management group still have faith in Pettersson, they have made it clear that he is not meeting their expectations and needs to work harder in order to reach his full potential.
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