With just 17 points in 36 games, can Pettersson turn his season around?
With the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks selected Elias Pettersson. The prolific sniper and playmaker finished second in scoring with 41 points (19 G, 22 A) in 43 games for Timrå IK leading up to his first-round selection.
The Canucks, then commandeered by Henrik Sedin and leading scorer Bo Horvat, struggled on both the front and back ends. With an abysmal 182 goals scored, (2.21 goals per game), the Canucks ended a forgettable year with the second-lowest goals scored in the NHL.
In his first NHL match against the Calgary Flames, Pettersson quickly lit the lamp, ripping a centre-ice pass from forward Loui Erickson short side, past the glove of Mike Smith. He later added an assist on a tally by Nikolay Goldobin in the third.
From then on, it was apparent the Canucks had landed an intergenerational talent.
Pettersson capped off his Calder winning rookie season with a team-leading 66 points (28 G, 38 A) in 71 games, trumping Pavel Bure’s rookie record set in 1991-92 of 60 points. During this all-star run, the SHL MVP and Champion had 10 goals in his first 10 games.
The following season, the first time in six years, the Canucks found themselves in a playoff spot – a considerable amount being the work of Pettersson’s 66-point sophomore season.
Any hopes for another playoff run in 2021 were squashed after the Canucks’ season was riddled with COVID-19, injuries, and lacklustre play. Pettersson wrapped up the final year of his entry-level contract with 21 points (10 G, 11 A) in 26 games after a nagging wrist injury kept him out for half of the season.
Coming off of a handsome $7.35 million contract extension, and an aggressive offseason from former GM Jim Benning, the Canucks had all the ingredients for a post-season berth. However, prospective fans were met with a lack of passion, direction, and offensive flair.
Pettersson’s offence, among others, dried up. At times, he looked lost on the ice, with little purpose or impact. The normally fiery forward was easily being pushed off pucks and coming up empty-handed in puck battles. Days before management’s cleanout, Pettersson was benched in a losing effort against Boston.
So, what can be said about the latent play of Pettersson, and when will his rut end?
For Canucks fans, and management alike, hopefully soon. Pettersson seems to be the number one priority for new head coach Bruce Boudreau. He preaches a shoot-first mentality, instilling confidence back into his star player, who has looked a little unsure and hesitant with the puck on his stick. But, is notably putting in the effort to get up to par.
Boudreau continues to put Pettersson on the ice, even on penalty kills, to give him the opportunity to play his slump out. And slowly but surely, Pettersson is showing positive signs. Sent out as the first shooter against the Jets on December 10, Pettersson scored a gorgeous Peter Forsberg-esque goal, handling the puck from his forehand to back before tucking it past the goaltender.
Fans may be anxiously anticipating the full return of rookie year Pettersson, but that might have to wait until next season. With changes trickling down from management, this might be a “throwaway” season for Pettersson, who is on pace for 39 points.
Pettersson and the Canucks have to get back to offensive hockey – utilizing speed, vision, play-making and a lethal wrist and slap shot on the half-walls. Surrounded by an offensive, tight-checking coach, Pettersson is set up for his best possible chance to succeed.