'Get rid of those guys': Chris Higgins has no time for Canucks with character issues

Chris Higgins has a unique perspective on what has happened to the Vancouver Canucks in recent years.

He first joined the Canucks as a player before their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011. After retiring in 2016, Higgins returned to the organization three years later, working in player development. The 42-year-old left the club two years ago, but evidently he still has his finger on the pulse of the franchise.

Speaking with Jamie Dodd and Randip Janda on Sportsnet 650 on Friday, Higgins didn’t hold back sharing his opinion about some of the team’s problem areas.

“That obsession to get better has been missing in this organization for a long time. It’s been one of my biggest critiques over the last number of years is our best players aren’t obsessed with getting better.

“We need to reestablish that culture of obsession of getting better every day, and being challenged, and not taking it personally… I feel like that hasn’t been around here for a very long time.”

Will Elias Pettersson be back next season? (Bob Frid/Imagn Images)

Higgins put his support behind the Sedins and Ryan Johnson, who will lead the Canucks into a new era. That trio has spoken extensively about the importance of team culture.

So did Higgins, though his comments were a bit more pointed.

“If we’re into year four, five, six, seven, and we’re still talking about preparation and your practice habits, it’s time to get rid of those guys. Like, straight up. That’s too long. Now that’s a character issue.”

Was Higgins talking about Elias Pettersson? He just finished year eight.

“We’ve let this go on, hoping that next year’s going to be the year for a lot of guys.”

The Pettersson dilemma is a fascinating one for the Canucks. Do they cut their losses with their most talented player, or do they see if a new environment can spark something in him?

🗣️ If we are into year 4,5,6,7, and we're still talking about your preparation and practice habits it's time to move on. That's a character issue.

👉 Chris Higgins joined @jamiedodd & @randipjanda to talk about your best players having to be obsessed with getting better. pic.twitter.com/VH8wmaxYhl

— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) May 15, 2026

The problems run deeper than just Pettersson, of course. You don’t sink to the bottom of the NHL standings because of just one player.

As the Canucks begin to rebuild their roster, it’ll be important that they find the right players.

Or as Higgins puts it, they need players with “predator eyes.”

“I’ve looked at players in the lights of their eyes — I didn’t see it with a lot of guys. I didn’t see the fierceness. It’s hard to describe, when you look into somebody’s eyes as a competitor, you know what those predator eyes look like… Those are hard to get, but those are the guys we need to find,” said Higgins.

“I finally believe in some of the guys that are making decisions that will find those type of guys.”