Canucks Executives Discuss State Of Elias Pettersson's Contract Extension
After signing a three-year extension, the Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations discussed the progress of an Elias Pettersson contract extension.
Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Canucks Executives Discuss State Of Elias Pettersson's Contract ExtensionAfter signing a three-year extension, the Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations discussed the progress of an Elias Pettersson contract extension.
Pettersson will be an RFA with arbitration rights after this season, with William Nylander getting the massive deal from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pettersson projects to get an even bigger deal.
"We can wait. I'll say the obvious: we keep saying it over and over; we really want him to stay. He's a very special player," Rutherford told members of the Canucks Media. "He's very important to the Canucks, he's very important to the city."
Preaching patience is the perfect thing to do in this situation, as Rutherford acknowledges that Pettersson can't leave the organization on his own.
"He can't walk at the end of the season, and that [is] the position we've taken," Rutherford explained. "We've taken that position very comfortably, so there's not anybody getting anxious here."
The salary cap is expected to rise exponentially next season. Because of that expectation, the Canucks can assess their cap situation come the off-season.
Rutherford joked with reporters that he's not the only one anxious about an extension for Pettersson.
"My son asked me at 7 o'clock this morning, just for the record," Rutherford laughed. "He asks me almost every morning, just like everybody else wants to know."
With the Canucks in position to make a massive run at a possible Stanley Cup, the focus needs to be on this season, and Pettersson will get his bag right after the season.
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