Player Discussion Elias Pettersson - A Forward Who Scores

[poler]

Pretty much out of the gate last season folks (myself included) thought that even though he was putting up points he looked like he was somewhat clearly playing with an injury due to how laboured his skating looked. IIRC, at some point Tocchet also implied he was banged up, there was some media speculation, and he had some maintenance days in like November or December or something last year, too.

I thought, and still think TBH, that he looked like a player with some kind of abdominal or back injury. I don't know that I necessarily think that's actually the case, but I definitely think he looks like it.

Beyond that, I also think it's a bit bizarre how little speculation there seems to be around it, and how much the media seems to be kind of treating this with kid gloves relative to what you might expect.

At my work someone told me about soccer player Ronaldo and he signed a massive contract and was dealing with an injury at the time. There was so much pressure to perform from the team they kept him playing even though he wasn’t 100%. Of course he wasn’t the same player and couldn’t perform up try to his contract.

Till this day even though he is rich he’s fighting depression from his poor play before he retired. It kind of reminds me the situation with Petterson, I don’t have faith in our medical staff with bad reputation of past players example being Cody Hodgson.

 

[CanucksSayEh]

Some goldfish memories around here. This song has been playing since the very start of last season.

Game 3, opening road trip. Myers hits EP with a point shot in the shin vs Philly. Game 4, Myers runs into EP on the PK vs Tampa. This was mid October, and the unwashed masses pointed to those moments as the reason for EP's soft, weak play all the way through Christmas. Some of his worst games came early in the season. It wasn't a drop off after January, it was a PEAK IN JANUARY.

The points were there for everyone early on, but EP looked exactly like he does now (plus all of 20-21, 21-22 and every PP in 22-23)

Blamed Myers, blamed Mikheyev, blamed the looming contract talks. There were literally posters blaming his change in brand of stick,..

Late October, home game vs Rags, EP was flopping all over the place, sabotaged 5 powerplays, the refs rolled their eyes when he faceplanted from the smallest of contact in OT to turn the puck over on the gwg against.

That mid-late November game vs the Avs? Fell on every scoring chance, got absolutely abused by Makar like 3 times in 5 seconds, just moped back to the bench.

This thread was echoed in every other game thread back then, receipts are all there. Just search 'bambi' and grab some popcorn.

Also painfully obvious, announcers are 100% trying to steer fan sentiment right now by praising every touch of the puck he makes. That's where we're at folks.

 

[VanJack]

Wow! Hockey's network insiders are really giving it to Elias Pettersson......the latest to take a run at hime was Craig Button on TSN, who said he isn't beginning to earn his inflated salary. And the pressure on him will only keep building until he shows something.

I really hope the guy can shut out all the background noise, and stay off social media until things start to turn around for him.

 

[theguardianII]

Wow! Hockey's network insiders are really giving it to Elias Pettersson......the latest to take a run at hime was Craig Button on TSN, who said he isn't beginning to earn his inflated salary. And the pressure on him will only keep building until he shows something.

I really hope the guy can shut out all the background noise, and stay off social media until things start to turn around for him.

You can hope but this is world wide, Sweden too.

It is a legit concern BUT it was management that pushed for the contract and they should take some heat also.
That the Canucks were counting on him to carry the team in the future is not EP's fault.

His style doesn't match with Tocchet's coaching simply as that, Tocchet's coaching record shows this.

If the team does trade him it won't be a matter of giving him a chance, EP has 6/7 years of playing history and he only excels when allowed to play his game and not HAVE to play down.

There are teams that might be interested now, teams that would over pay even for a player of his (past) calibre. Creating cap space would only enhance the trade return, if the Canucks take back salary/player.
Carolina is out now, Necas is playing really well.
The Preds might be getting desperate but don't really have enough to trade back, picks only.
Columbus is right there, they have lots of cap space, picks and prospects, but few Tocchet type guys. There is a Rutherford GM connection though.
Buffalo, another team with players/prospect/picks and cap space, after 7 years of bottom feeding they need a #1 center

I am pretty sure IF Pettersson is traded it will be to an eastern team.

6 points in 11 games and a couple of those secondary PP assists is not improving.

This news cycle the local media is leaning heavily on Hughes achievement and ignoring EP altogether.

The pressure from social media will not get better even if he has a few multi point games because this crater he has fallen into here is so deep and been that way for so long.

The TDL is the last day for trades but US Thanksgiving day is becoming noted for playoff chances. Few teams ever come back from not being in the show by that date.

I wonder how many fans/posters would be angry if Petey was traded and then flourished. Who would they blame? Player? Management? Or Coach? Let's add in there, fans?
If fans, isn't it okay to criticize poor play in an eye test?

 

[nowhereman]

Some goldfish memories around here. This song has been playing since the very start of last season.

Game 3, opening road trip. Myers hits EP with a point shot in the shin vs Philly. Game 4, Myers runs into EP on the PK vs Tampa. This was mid October, and the unwashed masses pointed to those moments as the reason for EP's soft, weak play all the way through Christmas. Some of his worst games came early in the season. It wasn't a drop off after January, it was a PEAK IN JANUARY.

The points were there for everyone early on, but EP looked exactly like he does now (plus all of 20-21, 21-22 and every PP in 22-23)

Blamed Myers, blamed Mikheyev, blamed the looming contract talks. There were literally posters blaming his change in brand of stick,..

Late October, home game vs Rags, EP was flopping all over the place, sabotaged 5 powerplays, the refs rolled their eyes when he faceplanted from the smallest of contact in OT to turn the puck over on the gwg against.

That mid-late November game vs the Avs? Fell on every scoring chance, got absolutely abused by Makar like 3 times in 5 seconds, just moped back to the bench.

This thread was echoed in every other game thread back then, receipts are all there. Just search 'bambi' and grab some popcorn.

Also painfully obvious, announcers are 100% trying to steer fan sentiment right now by praising every touch of the puck he makes. That's where we're at folks.

Yeah, people do seem to forget that Pettersson was criticized almost all of last year for his underwhelming play but he managed to put up points largely because of Hughes and Miller playing absolutely unreal hockey. The injury talk provides a clean narrative for why his play completely fell off a cliff but we haven't seen a dominant Pettersson since 22-23.

This has been more than just the last 50-60 games and is growing beyond concerning. The thing is, the notion that this is "all in his head" is confusing, since he was just coming off an amazing season and was still generating offense at a very strong rate on the front half of 23-24. Why would his confidence plummet? This is truly the most perplexed I think I've ever been with an NHL player.

I just hope 22-23 Pettersson rides in to save the day by the end of the year and into the playoffs. If we can add a top 4 defenseman, this team can beat anyone.

 

[sandwichbird2023]

Some goldfish memories around here. This song has been playing since the very start of last season.

Game 3, opening road trip. Myers hits EP with a point shot in the shin vs Philly. Game 4, Myers runs into EP on the PK vs Tampa. This was mid October, and the unwashed masses pointed to those moments as the reason for EP's soft, weak play all the way through Christmas. Some of his worst games came early in the season. It wasn't a drop off after January, it was a PEAK IN JANUARY.

The points were there for everyone early on, but EP looked exactly like he does now (plus all of 20-21, 21-22 and every PP in 22-23)

Blamed Myers, blamed Mikheyev, blamed the looming contract talks. There were literally posters blaming his change in brand of stick,..

Late October, home game vs Rags, EP was flopping all over the place, sabotaged 5 powerplays, the refs rolled their eyes when he faceplanted from the smallest of contact in OT to turn the puck over on the gwg against.

That mid-late November game vs the Avs? Fell on every scoring chance, got absolutely abused by Makar like 3 times in 5 seconds, just moped back to the bench.

This thread was echoed in every other game thread back then, receipts are all there. Just search 'bambi' and grab some popcorn.

Also painfully obvious, announcers are 100% trying to steer fan sentiment right now by praising every touch of the puck he makes. That's where we're at folks.

But he was so good on that eastern road trip early in 2024 though! The dekes around the Rangers' D and Shersterkin doesn't look like somebody with knee problems or balance/skating issues. He was still fast enough to pull away on the breakaway in Pittsburgh in OT. Sure he fell over sometimes like you mentioned above, but he has always fall over relatively easily, so it wasn't something new.

I think Myers falling on him was the beginning of it, Petey got up so gingerly from that. You are correct though, even though he was piling up points like a top 10 player early last season, he didn't always look like one aside from a few short stretches.

 

[Ernie]

Yeah, people do seem to forget that Pettersson was criticized almost all of last year for his underwhelming play but he managed to put up points largely because of Hughes and Miller playing absolutely unreal hockey. The injury talk provides a clean narrative for why his play completely fell off a cliff but we haven't seen a dominant Pettersson since 22-23.

This has been more than just the last 50-60 games and is growing beyond concerning. The thing is, the notion that this is "all in his head" is confusing, since he was just coming off an amazing season and was still generating offense at a very strong rate on the front half of 23-24. Why would his confidence plummet? This is truly the most perplexed I think I've ever been with an NHL player.

I just hope 22-23 Pettersson rides in to save the day by the end of the year and into the playoffs. If we can add a top 4 defenseman, this team can beat anyone.

So let me get this straight:
He was injured 2020-21 but if you extrapolate his numbers, he sucked.
He sucked all of 2021-2022 (when he scored 32 goals, mind you)
He was good in 2022-2023.
He sucked all of 2023-2024.
He sucks now.

Maybe 2022-2023 was the outlier? This player just sucks overall.

 

[Bobby9]

Imagine being so smug that you give an ultimatum to the team that drafted and helped develop you.

"Become a competitor."

And then the team does become competitive.

Then you double down on your arrogance and say "ill sign when I want" and create drama for the fans, team and management.

Then you go all in on wanting a 11.6M cap hit because you think youre worth that much.

Just to land face down and ass up in every game and are on pace for 40 points and have the entire fan base in an uproar because of how much you suck.

What a lesson in humility.

 

[nowhereman]

So let me get this straight:
He was injured 2020-21 but if you extrapolate his numbers, he sucked.
He sucked all of 2021-2022 (when he scored 32 goals, mind you)
He was good in 2022-2023.
He sucked all of 2023-2024.
He sucks now.

Maybe 2022-2023 was the outlier? This player just sucks overall.

I never used the word "sucks". Pettersson has had wildly inconsistent swings in his level of play and, as a fan, it is incredibly frustrating to never know what you're going to get out of the guy. 22-23 was an outlier because it is the only time in his career that he was able to remain healthy and play at an elite level for a full season. He hasn't been the same player since that year and has steadily declined to the point where his play fell off a cliff in early 2024.

 

[AlainVigneaultsGum]

New avi check. This will be the one that gets him going and then I can never change it again.

 

[themilosh]

You can hope but this is world wide, Sweden too.

It is a legit concern BUT it was management that pushed for the contract and they should take some heat also.
That the Canucks were counting on him to carry the team in the future is not EP's fault.

His style doesn't match with Tocchet's coaching simply as that, Tocchet's coaching record shows this.

If the team does trade him it won't be a matter of giving him a chance, EP has 6/7 years of playing history and he only excels when allowed to play his game and not HAVE to play down.

There are teams that might be interested now, teams that would over pay even for a player of his (past) calibre. Creating cap space would only enhance the trade return, if the Canucks take back salary/player.
Carolina is out now, Necas is playing really well.
The Preds might be getting desperate but don't really have enough to trade back, picks only.
Columbus is right there, they have lots of cap space, picks and prospects, but few Tocchet type guys. There is a Rutherford GM connection though.
Buffalo, another team with players/prospect/picks and cap space, after 7 years of bottom feeding they need a #1 center

I am pretty sure IF Pettersson is traded it will be to an eastern team.

6 points in 11 games and a couple of those secondary PP assists is not improving.

This news cycle the local media is leaning heavily on Hughes achievement and ignoring EP altogether.

The pressure from social media will not get better even if he has a few multi point games because this crater he has fallen into here is so deep and been that way for so long.

The TDL is the last day for trades but US Thanksgiving day is becoming noted for playoff chances. Few teams ever come back from not being in the show by that date.

I wonder how many fans/posters would be angry if Petey was traded and then flourished. Who would they blame? Player? Management? Or Coach? Let's add in there, fans?
If fans, isn't it okay to criticize poor play in an eye test?

Id like to see EP get traded to Mtl, i think he is exactly what the Habs need, and plays MSL style. What do you give up for him though? Needs to be something Vancounver requires now and has to match salary..
I figure: Caufield (scoring winger) + Gallagher (western boy, gritty tochett style player 3rd line winger) + Arber Xhekaj (D5/6) + CGY 1st '25 (~12oa).

 

[Cancuks]

I think he will get moved if he doesn't pick up his play by Christmas. Neither the team nor him can be happy. I still think he's butthurt over the Carolina ultimatum and it's messed him up psychologically. Buffalo makes the most sense. He's friends with Dahlin, and that team needs a makeover. Lots of good pieces the Canucks would be interested in. Cozens probably has to be coming back this way, maybe Bryam or Jokiharju. They could give us a prospect or two as well.

I think the first thing they'll try though before a trade is calling up Lekkerimaki and seeing if that will jumpstart him.

 

[LordBacon]

New avi check. This will be the one that gets him going and then I can never change it again.

The real reason for Petey's slump is his dirty visor and you cant convince me otherwise.

I think he will get moved if he doesn't pick up his play by Christmas. Neither the team nor him can be happy. I still think he's butthurt over the Carolina ultimatum and it's messed him up psychologically. Buffalo makes the most sense. He's friends with Dahlin, and that team needs a makeover. Lots of good pieces the Canucks would be interested in. Cozens probably has to be coming back this way, maybe Bryam or Jokiharju. They could give us a prospect or two as well.

I think the first thing they'll try though before a trade is calling up Lekkerimaki and seeing if that will jumpstart him.

No, at least not yet.
Waaaaay to premature to do something of this magnitude.

 

[kanucks25]

Id like to see EP get traded to Mtl, i think he is exactly what the Habs need, and plays MSL style. What do you give up for him though? Needs to be something Vancounver requires now and has to match salary..
I figure: Caufield (scoring winger) + Gallagher (western boy, gritty tochett style player 3rd line winger) + Arber Xhekaj (D5/6) + CGY 1st '25 (~12oa).

MTL already has their Pettersson type player in Suzuki, so even though Pettersson is a better player than Caufield in a vacuum (when Pettersson is actually himself), Caufield fills a much bigger need for them as a top-line goal scoring winger.

Also, Gallagher has massive negative value as he's barely a 3rd liner with 3 x 6.5M left on his contract.

 

[Bobby9]

On pace for 35ish points.

 

[theguardianII]

I think he will get moved if he doesn't pick up his play by Christmas.

No, at least not yet.
Waaaaay to premature to do something of this magnitude.

By Christmas it will be almost a full season and he isn't getting better he's on track going the other way.
If they wait too long his trade value will diminish more or evaporate.

5 points in 12 games so far THIS season.
His decline stretches back another 50+ games last year. This isn't a slump

Think of it this way if Joshua, Sherwood, Heinen all stopped hitting or slowed down what would happen? Those are the strengths of their games. EP is to be a top two scoring threat at center.

One shot on goal against LA. One goal when it hits him and in, a pylon could have scored that one.

The LA game was a win without Boeser or Petersson essentially, that is a lot of cap space.
As a side not if Boeser has a suspected concussion the team should not allow him on a plane.

 

[themilosh]

MTL already has their Pettersson type player in Suzuki, so even though Pettersson is a better player than Caufield in a vacuum (when Pettersson is actually himself), Caufield fills a much bigger need for them as a top-line goal scoring winger.

Also, Gallagher has massive negative value as he's barely a 3rd liner with 3 x 6.5M left on his contract.

yes EP is similar style of Suzuki, which IMO bodes well for creating a top 6 - with strength through the middle. Dach isn't a C, and with Laine (out) this basically allows other teams to neutralize our only threats.. We (normal Habs fans) are still in Tank mode, and EP arriving wouldn't really change that direction (this year). Thing is Demidov (is looking like a superstar) and if we can pick up Porter Martone at the draft, we will need quality Centres to feed the wings..
CC would be hugely successful in Van (but 1 for 1 is not valued at EP level) so we need to add. Gallagher is a legit 3rd liner, great leadership, hardnosed player.. this would be to equal out the salary diff... don't forget, that EP at $10.5M is really scary too.

the value add (for immediate help) would be Xhekaj on D (5th 6th), and the bonus would be CGY 1st this year which could be as high as 11oa or as low as 32oa (if Florida wins cup and CGY finished bottom 10).. or instead of the draft pick we could offer up Beck (again a Tocchet style player).

I think this would be enough to work, that is, if Van management want to move on.. Yes Habs are still soft, but and we still have alot of dead weight: Anderson, Dvorak, Armia, etc... it is what it is..

Anyways, I always root for Vancouver in the west, so it is fun to follow you guys!

 

[BluesyShoes]

Some goldfish memories around here. This song has been playing since the very start of last season.

Game 3, opening road trip. Myers hits EP with a point shot in the shin vs Philly. Game 4, Myers runs into EP on the PK vs Tampa. This was mid October, and the unwashed masses pointed to those moments as the reason for EP's soft, weak play all the way through Christmas. Some of his worst games came early in the season. It wasn't a drop off after January, it was a PEAK IN JANUARY.

I hear what you are saying, but what happens after a peak? Not really picking up what you are putting down with that description. Agree with the two Myers incidents though, I remember those specifically and thinking Petey was hurt because of them. I can't really remember how he looked before that, though, I guess in pre-season and the first couple games.

No, at least not yet.
Waaaaay to premature to do something of this magnitude.

His NMC kicks in after this season, I believe July 1st. If they want to move him, they have from now until the trade deadline, and then the small window before July 1st after the season is done. After that, they'll need him to sign off on the trade. They don't exactly have the luxury of time to move him.

 

[rypper]

By Christmas it will be almost a full season

It'll be 34 games. Almost 50 to play.

 

[SniperOnTheWing]

It'll be 34 games. Almost 50 to play.

He’s probably including the second half of last season and rounding it into roughly a full season of poor play combined.

 

[Bobby9]

I wonder if he’s being coached out of his natural skill set. Be a more complete 2 way player rather than a purely offensive weapon.

Tocchet does seem to hate players who can’t play on both sides of the puck and it’s wouldn’t completely surprise me if EP is butt hurt because it’s costing him production.