What Vancouver Canucks star Pettersson said to reporters at 4 Nations
Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson has no false notions about how his season has gone thus far.
The 26-year-old has been a major disappointment. He has just 11 goals and 34 points in 49 games, far below the standard expected of him.
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament has come at a good time. It’s an opportunity to get away from the pressure of the NHL and have some fun alongside a group of familiar players.
“It hasn’t been my best season, but that’s in the past,” Pettersson told reporters in Montreal. “I’m just trying to look ahead. I’m very excited for [this tournament].”
Part of the reason he’s struggled so much this season has been an injury. He told reporters at training camp that his knee tendonitis had affected his offseason training plan. It’s something his agent Patt Brisson emphasized when discussing Pettersson’s struggles recently.
“He had a tough summer, he couldn’t train at the level he wanted to due to an injury. He is a better player and a proud player and still young and lots to offer,” said Brisson on Donnie & Dhali.
Looking back now, perhaps the injury had more of an effect than Pettersson let on at the time.
“Yeah, maybe,” Pettersson admitted. “But then also that’s in the past. [I’m] trying to not let the past affect me and how I’m doing and feeling today. I’m just trying to look ahead.”
“Yes, the knee affected me in the summer, my training, but again I’m not going to dwell on it now, or try not to, because it’s not going to do anything for me. Just trying to be better every day [and] get better.”
When asked if he still feels pain or if it’s still a consideration when he trains, Pettersson preferred to keep the focus on the future.
“I’m just looking forward [to] tomorrow.”
Beyond his struggles on the ice, this has also been a difficult year for Pettersson away from it. He’s a central figure in the feud with former Canucks co-star J.T. Miller. Their relationship has been a dominant story, not only in Vancouver but across the NHL as a whole.
Has this been the most frustrating season of his career?
“With the media, of course,” he quipped.
Team Sweden is relying on Pettersson to be better than he has been for the Canucks. He’s playing on their top line alongside Filip Forsberg and Adrian Kempe, as well as the second power-play unit.
Sweden faces off against Canada in Montreal tomorrow to open the tournament.
“Personally, I want to go out and be the best player on the ice every game. I believe everyone wants to do that.”
“This season also hasn’t been my best but I think lately I’ve been trending in the right direction. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow and focus on what’s ahead of me.”
His Swedish teammates believe Pettersson will be at his best over this tournament. With lots of familiar faces within the group, they hope it’s an environment where the struggling star can turn things around.
“He’s a good person,” ex-Canucks teammate Elias Lindholm said about Pettersson. “We all know what [kind of] player he can be and we’re going to need him to play some good hockey here for us.”
“You can see now he’s comfortable being around a lot of guys that he knows from before. Obviously, he has his former coach [Sam Hallam] here, that he had in Sweden. I think this is a good reset for him, to come here.”
Pettersson has a good track record of producing for his country. He had 10 points in eight games at the 2019 IIHF World Championships.
“We’re going to see a different Pettersson during this tournament,” continued Lindholm. “He’s going to be a very good player for Vancouver when he comes back for sure.”
The Canucks are hoping Lindholm’s prediction rings true and Pettersson returns refreshed and reset as they’ll need him for the stretch run. The team’s playoff hopes rest largely on his shoulders.