It has been a tough year and a half for Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson.
Ever since participating in the 2024 All-Star game, he hasn’t been the same player. Pettersson struggled in the second half of the 2023-24 season, managing only a goal and five assists in 13 playoff games.
Last season was the worst of his career. In 64 games, the Swedish centre scored 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points. It was hard to believe that this was the same player who had put up 102 points in the 2022-23 season. Pettersson was criticized heavily by fans and media, and his feud with JT Miller stole the headlines. On the ice, he was whiffing on shots, falling and getting knocked off the puck easily, and invisible on most nights. It was depressing to watch.
Pettersson began dealing with knee tendinitis during the 2023-24 season, which affected his offseason training. The issue persisted into the start of the 2024-25 season.
Given the fact that Pettersson signed the richest contract in franchise history (11.6 million dollars a year for eight years) , the criticism was justified. Some Canucks fans were not too happy with Miller being traded and Pettersson staying. Once hailed as the saviour of the franchise, the 2019 Calder Trophy winner and four-time All-Star was now seen as the biggest scapegoat.
But like the rest of his team, Pettersson is moving forward to the upcoming season.
Pettersson is now married and has bulked up
Pettersson and several of his Canucks teammates are back in town. Monday was the annual Jake Milford Charity Golf Tournament. The players spoke to the media after golfing.
Pettersson confirmed he got married in the summer. More importantly, he revealed he worked hard in the offseason and bulked up. He gained six kilos or 13 pounds this offseason.
“I added six kilos…I feel good,” said Pettersson, per David Quadrelli of Canucks Army. “It’s been a long, long summer, so I tried to add some muscle and am ready to be myself again out there. I feel confident.”
Confidence played a significant role in Pettersson’s struggles last season, and fans are hoping his renewed mindset leads to better results.
Pettersson also confirmed on Monday that he is healthy and nothing is holding him back this time. He also spoke about moving on from last season and his excitement heading into the upcoming season.
“That’s in the past, we can all learn from it,” said Pettersson, per Rob Williams of Daily Hive. “I’m just looking forward, excited for this year…We’re gonna try to prepare to be the best team we can be. I know what we’re capable of. I believe fully that we can do good things.”
Will it be Pettersson’s revenge season?
It’s nice to hear Pettersson say these things. But actions speak louder than words.
There are a lot of questions heading into the upcoming season for the Canucks. One of them is the centre depth. The Canucks are thin there, and there are a lot of questions about Filip Chytil’s health and ability to play as the second-line centre.
Obviously, if the Canucks want to have a bounce-back season, they need Pettersson to return to form. Can he prove he can still be the All-Star the team needs?
Pettersson said last month that he is looking for revenge this season. The Canucks need him to have a revenge arc. If he doesn’t, it won’t look good on the team, and especially for him.
It will be up to Pettersson to put his words into action. He needs to cook because revenge is a dish best served cold.
