Elias Pettersson This Season
Elias Pettersson has emerged as one of the most debated players to wear a Canucks jersey since his debut in the 2018-2019 NHL season. When fully engaged and confident, his skill stands out, but occasional mental lapses create a gap between good and great performance.
Role and Ice Time
Since J.T. Miller’s trade to the New York Rangers, Pettersson has taken on the role of the Canucks' primary number one center. He is second only to Conor Garland among Canucks forwards in ice time this season, averaging 19:43 minutes per game, and secures a place on the top power play unit.
Physical Engagement
There is a common misconception about Pettersson’s physicality; he maintains an average of 2 blocked shots and 1.3 hits per game, consistent with his last four seasons, indicating active physical engagement on the ice.
Performance Concerns
This season, Pettersson’s offensive output shows a downward trend. Across 13 games, he has recorded just 8 points and 20 shots on goal—averaging 1.5 shots per game. This is a noticeable decline compared to previous seasons, where he consistently averaged at least 0.85 points and 2 shots per game.
Last season marked a career low for Pettersson in shots on goal per game and featured his worst shooting accuracy at 13.8%, 1.4% lower than his previous low, signaling a troubling trend for a player known for his scoring ability.
"I want three shots a game or even more," Pettersson said. "But maybe that's a reflection that we've got to create more. I've got to be better."
Recent Season Summary
- 2024-25 season totals: 15 goals, 30 assists in 64 games.
- Frustrations from the previous season include a notable goal drought and reduced shot volume.
- Physical stats include 65 blocked shots and 58 hits across 56 appearances in the 2024-25 season.
- Pettersson is in the second year of an eight-year, $92.8 million contract signed in 2024.
"Pettersson is up to 12 goals, 36 points, with 100 shots on net, 65 blocked shots, 58 hits, and a minus-8 rating through 56 appearances. 2024-25 will go down as a forgettable year on his ledger, one the Canucks will hope he can bounce back from quickly."
Despite a difficult recent season, Pettersson's underlying performance metrics suggest potential for rebound, with positive possession statistics when on the ice this season.
Author's Summary
Elias Pettersson's current season shows a notable dip in scoring and shooting, but his consistent physical play and ice time indicate potential for a strong rebound if he regains confidence and sharpness.