If you are a Canucks fan like myself, then you are probably on the edge of your seat, awaiting the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, and I’m right there with you. As a Vancouverite myself, I know that I am filled with anticipation as I look forward to seeing the Canucks take home ice once again, especially if you saw the atmosphere around playoff hockey in Vancouver, electric. But as I sit here all excited and nervous, I have one major question that I keep asking myself and other fans around me, will Elias Pettersson exceed expectations and go back to his original form? Or will he continue where he left off last season, underperforming, underwhelming, and unconfident.
Well I think that’s one of the biggest questions or wonders for any Canucks fan, as Petey used to be an undeniable superstar, winning the Calder trophy in 2019, and was on track for 100 point season this year, before things slowly went downhill, but what went wrong?
"You need to realize, [Elias] Pettersson is one of the best defensive centermen in the league. Make no mistake about it." – @mike_p_johnson@Canucks | @TonyLuftman | #NHLTopPlayers | #Canucks pic.twitter.com/sIShh3aTDg
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 25, 2024
Many people questioned if he may have been dealing with something, such as an injury, I think you may have even thought that if you witnessed his second half performance. The mystery was solved after the conclusion of the Canucks season, as when media availability hit, Pettersson didn’t hesitate to confess what he’s been going through, since he himself even noticed his dip in stats and decline of gameplay.
“Yeah, I’ve been playing with a bad knee since January. It’s been a night to night injury (so) the longer it went, the more pain I felt” said Pettersson when asked about his let down performance.
If you had the chance to witness Canucks playoff hockey, then you didn’t miss out, but Petey did. You didn’t have to watch hockey regularly to tell that Pettersson was struggling, as he would be hesitant almost any time the puck found the blade of his stick. In 13 playoff games, Pettersson only found the back of the net and scored once, and only collecting 6 points, which is nowhere near his best and only other playoff season, where he averaged a point per game, as he had 18 points in 17 games.
Now that you know he was battling an injury, then you don’t need to worry too much about his upcoming play as he has taken the rest he’s rightfully needed. Petey is looking to start fresh and you and I are hoping the exact same thing. It’s a reset for him, a brand new year, with brand new linemates as offseason additions in Jake DeBrusk and Daniel Sprong, should be sharing the ice with Pettersson this year. Petey mentioned there was no exact treatment necessary but rest was needed. Hopefully this summer was enough time off to get back in the groove of things, as the recovery is done, with the resurgence of Elias Pettersson up next..