Speculation: Elias Pettersson will want out of Vancouver (Russo of the Athletic)

[Three On Zero]

Yes, his entire comment on the subject is vague and speculative.

Again, his full quote is below. Appears that he's heard some inside information which he can't divulge for whatever reason that makes him think that EP will want to move on. Now does this mean he'll ask out this season, next season or even at all? Of course not. Does it mean that whatever Russo heard (if even true) can't be rectified and EP could still commit long-term? Of course not either.

Given everything I know about Russo though, I don't think he's just making this stuff up out of thin air for no good reason. He just doesn't strike me as the type of person to do that. He also prefaces the comment as being a gut feeling mixed with some knowledge of the situation, so he's not saying that he's actually heard that EP does in fact want to move on.

We'll see how this all plays out, but I personally don't think that Russo would put this out there without having heard something that he believes to be credible. But he's also not suggesting any type of request from EP is remotely imminent.

His full comment:

"My gut says Elias is going to want to move on. That's just my gut. Gut and a little bit of knowledge."

"As Wild fans know, if I say something it's usually because I got a...like...I don't just throw stuff out there. It's never been my style. I just think that with Pettersson, there's some behind the scenes stuff there that would probably want to make him go elsewhere."

Anyone with a brain knows the Canucks are in a poor situation, doesn't take insider information to see that or some "knowledge". Couple that with the fact Russo has rarely if at any point been around the Canucks. It's hard to believe he has any kind of inside knowledge on the team.

Saying a player may want out weeks after his agent publicly said he wants to stay long term, pure click bait. Got to give the guy credit though, he's going to get a large uptick in traffic over the next few days.

Would be different if this was a credible source from someone who's been around the Canucks organization

 

[biturbo19]

While it wouldn't surprise me I'm not clear on how a Minnesota based "insider" who covers the Wild (and has often been wrong) would have the scoop on a Canucks star.

Yeah. It'd be like one of the Canucks hack writers doing a whole speculative thinkpiece on how "Kaprizov will want out of Minnesota". Except maybe not even so blatant, as i don't think Canucks would be real players for Kaprizov...but the Wild could darn sure use an Elias Pettersson. Getting a guy like Pettersson would in fact go a long ways in making Kaprizov happier to stay as a career Wilder.

 

[Three On Zero]

Yeah. It'd be like one of the Canucks hack writers doing a whole speculative thinkpiece on how "Kaprizov will want out of Minnesota". Except maybe not even so blatant, as i don't think Canucks would be real players for Kaprizov...but the Wild could darn sure use an Elias Pettersson. Getting a guy like Pettersson would in fact go a long ways in making Kaprizov happier to stay as a career Wilder.

I have some knowledge, and a gut feeling Arizona will not make the playoffs this year .

Guess I can be an insider now

 

[JlindiesANA]

Anyone with a brain knows the Canucks are in a poor situation, doesn't take insider information to see that or some "knowledge". Couple that with the fact Russo has rarely if at any point been around the Canucks. It's hard to believe he has any kind of inside knowledge on the team.

Saying a player may want out weeks after his agent publicly said he wants to stay long term, pure click bait. Got to give the guy credit though, he's going to get a large uptick in traffic over the next few days.

Would be different if this was a credible source from someone who's been around the Canucks organization

I have to disagree. The Athletic has always been credible when it comes to my other sports I enjoy. NFL and NBA. Their staff is usually always on their game when it comes to rumors. If this was just a random tweet from someone we all don’t know I would agree with you.

But that article was wrote by Russo. Who we all know. Russo is pretty much Shams Charania for the NBA.

I wouldn’t doubt this rumor does have legs. And it’s starting to make sense with all the rumors popping out of Canucks as of late

 

[HBK27]

Anyone with a brain knows the Canucks are in a poor situation, doesn't take insider information to see that or some "knowledge". Couple that with the fact Russo has rarely if at any point been around the Canucks. It's hard to believe he has any kind of inside knowledge on the team.

Saying a player may want out weeks after his agent publicly said he wants to stay long term, pure click bait. Got to give the guy credit though, he's going to get a large uptick in traffic over the next few days.

Would be different if this was a credible source from someone who's been around the Canucks organization

He doesn't have to be around the Canucks to get this type of information. He's been involved with the league a long time and has expanded his role to have more of a national presence versus just focusing on the Wild - he surely has many, many contacts throughout the league. From my point of view (as a Devils fan), he has been by far the best beat writer out there.

He's saying that he's heard that there is "behind the scenes stuff" that makes Russo speculate that he may want out. Which again, he clearly states is a gut feeling on his part.

If you don't think Russo is a credible source, so be it - though I'd be curious to see any real reasons why that is the case. I also don't think he's one to just toss baseless rumors out there for clicks. That's a really lazy argument, that should at least be supported by other examples of him doing so. The guy is well established in this league and well beyond the point of needing to make stuff up to generate "clicks". He stands to lose a whole hell of a lot if he were to just make this stuff up. If this blows up and some legit insiders respond that there's absolutely nothing to this, Russo's reputation will take a major hit.

But yeah, keep on believing the one of the most well established, respected writers in the league somehow feels the need to make stuff up for clicks despite zero history of spreading baseless rumors. Solid theory.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He can leave if they trade Kuzmenko. It looks like both are having fun to play with each other.

 

[BoHorvat 53]

He can leave if they trade Kuzmenko. It looks like both are having fun to play with each other.

Hoping we extend him, some want to move him but if he's willing to sign a bridge contract at 6 mil we'd be stupid not to extend him - we'd get a haul for him when his bridge deal would be over regardless. Kid is on pace for 38 goals and 74 points this season, it would be insanely idiotic to move him after his rookie season when we expected to struggle the most and in spite of that, he's putting up numbers at almost a PPG pace.

 

[Three On Zero]

He doesn't have to be around the Canucks to get this type of information. He's been involved with the league a long time and has expanded his role to have more of a national presence versus just focusing on the Wild - he surely has many, many contacts throughout the league. From my point of view (as a Devils fan), he has been by far the best beat writer out there.

He's saying that he's heard that there is "behind the scenes stuff" that makes Russo speculate that he may want out. Which again, he clearly states is a gut feeling on his part.

If you don't think Russo is a credible source, so be it - though I'd be curious to see any real reasons why that is the case. I also don't think he's one to just toss baseless rumors out there for clicks. That's a really lazy argument, that should at least be supported by other examples of him doing so. The guy is well established in this league and well beyond the point of needing to make stuff up to generate "clicks". He stands to lose a whole hell of a lot if he were to just make this stuff up. If this blows up and some legit insiders respond that there's absolutely nothing to this, Russo's reputation will take a major hit.

But yeah, keep on believing the one of the most well established, respected writers in the league somehow feels the need to make stuff up for clicks despite zero history of spreading baseless rumors. Solid theory.

We have a weekly article talking about the Canucks locker room , don't need insider information to know it's not healthy.

He doesn't stand to lose anything; he was smart with his wording saying "he may want out".

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Good for him, I'm happy for the lad

 

[Three On Zero]

Hoping we extend him, some want to move him but if he's willing to sign a bridge contract at 6 mil we'd be stupid not to extend him - we'd get a haul for him when his bridge deal would be over regardless. Kid is on pace for 38 goals and 74 points this season, it would be insanely idiotic to move him after his rookie season when we expected to struggle the most and in spite of that, he's putting up numbers at almost a PPG pace.

If we can somehow get rid of Myers and turn that money into Kuzmenko. That would be glorious.

 

[LevelingSolo]

Again, someone help me understand why Miller got resigned for 8 years...?

 

[HBK27]

We have a weekly article talking about the Canucks locker room , don't need insider information to know it's not healthy.

He doesn't stand to lose anything; he was smart with his wording saying "he may want out".

He absolutely does. Again, if this thing blows up and legit insiders say there's nothing to this rumor, his credibility takes a massive hit.

I'll ask you then - what exactly does he have to gain?

You think a few more clicks (even though there's no article attached to this rumor, so maybe a few more listens on the podcast) is some incentive for him to just make stuff up? Really?

He already has a solid position at The Athletic where the Wild have a massive following (in large part, because they landed Russo) and he was recently promoted to focus on more national stories. So what exactly is his incentive here to just lie and make it seem like he has inside information?

 

[SnakeIdol]

Cirelli and Foote for EP.

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

Cirelli and Foote for EP.

Deal

 

[Andy Dufresne]

My gut instinct tells me I should've used less habanero sauce on my burrito at lunch.
Of course, that's not really news. Neither is this.

 

[ThatGuy22]

basically a whole lot of nothingness.

You can’t say it’s your gut feeling then say “I don’t just throw stuff out there” in the same sentence

A Minnesotan journalist wouldn’t be the first person to uncover something like this. If Pettersson is not happy, Vancouver media will be the first ones to report it, not some random conference journalist.

I mean... You can't act like he doesn't have connections, and People talk.

He has access to to Judd Brackett, who probably still has connections there. Rutherford and Guerin worked together, and he has everyday access to him.

That's not to mention that there are two former Wild head coaches on the Canucks coaching staff, he had good relationships with both of them. Boudreau in particular has been on like 6 podcasts with him since the Wild fired him (including while as a coach of the Canucks).

He's done a number of profiles on Brock Boeser, including the incredibly intimate one about his dad's illness.

He has connections in Vancouver.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Not sure if you are agreeing with me or not, but if not, watch the actual "incident" and not whatever clickbait is out there. Russo was a big part of that crap

Because he was in the NHL situation room for a story (and the Wild played the Rangers the next night) and REPORTED (as in his job) that the league was clipping goalies knocking off the nets to show at the GM meetings.

That's news. Whether or not it it riled up the fans, it was a factual report he stuck his name on.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Here's an interview by EP's agent from 1 hour ago

-Loves Van
- Will be working on extension July

 

[ThatGuy22]

Anyone with a brain knows the Canucks are in a poor situation, doesn't take insider information to see that or some "knowledge". Couple that with the fact Russo has rarely if at any point been around the Canucks. It's hard to believe he has any kind of inside knowledge on the team.

Saying a player may want out weeks after his agent publicly said he wants to stay long term, pure click bait. Got to give the guy credit though, he's going to get a large uptick in traffic over the next few days.

Would be different if this was a credible source from someone who's been around the Canucks organization

Their head coach and assistant coach are literally ex Wild coaches that he had good relationships with (espiecially Boudreau).

He also has a relationship with Boeser and his family who he's done a number of profiles on, including the very tough one about his Dad's illness.

He has plenty of ways to get a hint of info things may not be right.

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

lol its 2023 and I cant believe how many people still fall for clickbait.

Here's an interview by EP's agent from 1 hour ago

-Loves Van
- Will be working on extension July

Says the guy who posts every fringe rumour about the Canucks.

Funny how that tweet mentions how Pettersson hates losing. It’s the second time this has been brought up, as Pettersson has stated he wants to play for a competitive team. That isn’t the modern day Canucks, lol!

 

[Three On Zero]

Their head coach and assistant coach are literally ex Wild coaches that he had good relationships with (espiecially Boudreau).

He also has a relationship with Boeser and his family who he's done a number of profiles on, including the very tough one about his Dad's illness.

He has plenty of ways to get a hint of info things may not be right.

So ties with Minnesota, not the Canucks

 

[John Mandalorian]

lol its 2023 and I cant believe how many people still fall for clickbait.

Here's an interview by EP's agent from 1 hour ago

-Loves Van
- Will be working on extension July

Do you think Pettersson's agent wants his client to endure booing by saying, "yeah, he's likely gone"?

I'm not saying this is the case but the motivation for the agent to keep peace for his client exists.

 

[ThatGuy22]

So ties with Minnesota, not the Canucks

Is that purposefully dense?

He has personal ties (in two of the cases i'd consider them close) to three current members of the Canucks team.

There is a reason Russo has done like 3 profiles on Brock, including the extremely personal story about Brock and his dad's illness, and not someone from the Vancouver press corps.

There is a reason Yeo gave him an indepth interview, where he was very honest the summer after he was fired.

There is a reason Boudreau goes on his podcast or calls in when he's on the radio even years after the Wild let him go (as recently as September 2022 while coach of the canucks).

He has personal relationships with members of the Canucks organization. That's just simply a fact.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Do you think Pettersson's agent wants his client to endure booing by saying, "yeah, he's likely gone"?

I'm not saying this is the case but the motivation for the agent to keep peace for his client exists.

Ah yes.

So let’s go with the insider from the States who has a gut feeling Petey wants out as credible.

Over a literal hour old direct source from Petey’s agent saying he hates losing (like everyone else!) and wants to play in Vancouver.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Ah yes.

So let’s go with the insider from the States who has a gut feeling Petey wants out as credible.

Over a literal hour old direct source from Petey’s agent saying he hates losing (like everyone else!) and wants to play in Vancouver.

Did Johnny Gaudreau signal his intention to leave at any point last year?