Vancouver Canucks management 'encouraged' by Pettersson's offseason work so far: report
We’re 19 days away from Elias Pettersson’s no-movement clause kicking in, but it doesn’t sound like the Vancouver Canucks are interested in trading him before July 1.
The Canucks have been open to trading Pettersson in the past, with the Carolina Hurricanes seemingly the most serious suitor.Ā Canucks management now needs to decide if it’s time to cut bait with Pettersson or bank on him bouncing back.
It sounds like they’re choosing the latter.
In an article written for The Athletic, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said that “all signs point to the Canucks keeping” Pettersson.
LeBrun adds that the Canucks are “encouraged” by Pettersson’s offseason approach.
Pettersson is coming off the most disappointing year of his career, scoring just 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games, and Canucks management has continually pointed to Pettersson’s poor offseason preparation as a reason for his struggles.
The Canucks were so concerned about the way the 26-year-old trains that GM Patrik Allvin floated the idea of Pettersson remaining in Vancouver this summer.
Pettersson didn’t jet off to Sweden immediately after the season, but the plan doesn’t appear to have him spend the summer in Vancouver. They don’t have a practice facility for him to train at, after all.
Knee tendinitis disrupted Pettersson’s offseason training last year. With improved health and renewed focus on training, there is hope that the Canucks get a rejuvenated No. 1 centre back in the fall.
āIām going to take advantage of the extra month of training to come in ready for next season,ā said Pettersson in April.
We’ll see.