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NHL Insider Reports Elias Pettersson Under Pressure as Canucks Approach Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Feb 22, 2025 1:35 PM ET

As the NHL season resumes, so does the Elias Pettersson saga with the Vancouver Canucks.

The organization hoped that the 26-year-old star center, who was signed to an eight-year contract extension worth $92.8 million last offseason, would reclaim his game after J.T. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers on Jan. 31.

But in the time since that locker room distraction was put to ease, Pettersson posted two points in five games.

What made matters worse for the Canucks, who are strapped to make a decision on him as the March 7 trade deadline approaches, is that Pettersson's play in the 4 Nations Face-Off was equally ineffective. He registered no points and played two shifts in Sweden's final period of thee tournament.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that with Pettersson out of "excuses," Vancouver is pressed into a situation where they must face two unfortunate potential outcomes: either receive too little a return for the high-ceiling forward, or be stuck with his hefty contract for the long haul if his game doesn't rebound.

"Pettersson is on the clock," Seravalli writes on Daily Faceoff. "With J.T. Miller traded, GM Patrik Allvin made it clear in no uncertain terms that Pettersson needs to be better – and that expectations have not been met.

There are no excuses left. He was invisible in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, registering zero points, and played just two shifts in the third period of Sweden’s finale. Teams wanted to see what Pettersson looked like outside of the Vancouver environment. Now for Vancouver, the risk of selling too low on him must be balanced with the risk of being stuck with his contract."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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