Pettersson's knee still bothering him? Behind-the-scenes video shows Vancouver Canucks star tending to it
NHL players play through injuries all the time.
But good luck getting details on them.
We have heard some details on a nagging injury Elias Pettersson was dealing with, just not in quite some time.
“I’ve been playing with a bad knee since January. It’s been a nagging injury, so the longer it went, the more pain I felt,” Pettersson told reporters after the Vancouver Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs back in May.
Head coach Rick Tocchet described the ailment as knee tendinitis.
In September, Pettersson said he had to “train around” his knee injury during summer workouts.
“It’s a nagging injury that doesn’t want to go away easily,” he said. “We figured out a way to work around it.”
Pettersson also said it’s “not a big thing” and that the “knee is fine.”
But he hasn’t looked fine this season.
Pettersson has been a shadow of his former self for more than 12 months. He struggled down the stretch last season and wasn’t very good in the playoffs. He didn’t return to form after the summer and has just 34 points (11-23-34) in 49 games.
The 4 Nations tournament was the latest chance for Pettersson to turn things around, but he struggled to produce offence there as well.
So what’s bothering him? Maybe it’s his knee.
Why is Pettersson icing his knee at 4 Nations if he isn't injured? pic.twitter.com/EaURDQCcgv
— Taj (@taj1944) February 20, 2025
In a behind-the-scenes 4 Nations special that aired on Sportsnet this week, Pettersson appeared to be icing his knee between periods.
While he wouldn’t be the first player to use an ice bag during a game, is it possible that Pettersson’s injury is hindering him more than we’ve been led to believe?
Sportsnet
Tocchet and Canucks management haven’t allowed the injury to be used as an excuse, but Pettersson’s drop-off has been dramatic. He isn’t skating as fast as he used to, and the 26-year-old’s numbers are down.
In the last 365 days, Pettersson has just 50 points in 74 games. In the 74 games before that, he scored 94 points.
Surely that can’t all be due to confidence issues, can it?
Time will tell with Pettersson, but decision time is soon approaching for Canucks management. Pettersson’s no-movement clause kicks in on July 1, which will make him far more difficult to trade.
But the thought of selling low on Pettersson only to see him return to form with a new team is stomach-turning for Canucks fans.