Pettersson’s ‘preparation’ was a problem says Vancouver Canucks coach Tocchet
The Vancouver Canucks’ future is largely dependent on Elias Pettersson.
The former 100-point player has not looked like himself for more than a full calendar year. He’s on the largest contract in team history, and if he can’t get back to a high level, the Canucks won’t reach their full potential.
Pettersson finished this year with just 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games. It was a massive disappointment and a level he cannot repeat next season if this team wants to be successful.
While there’s uncertainty if he’ll be returning behind the bench, head coach Rick Tocchet is focused on helping Pettersson find his game again.
“Elias wants to be a great player, right? And we’re here to try and help him to become a great player,” said Tocchet. “I think he’ll tell you this, his preparation has to get better. There’s no secret, if you want to be a great player, you have to prepare with almost an obsessive preparation.”
“He’s got to practice better…those things that he’s learning…I think I can bank on him taking this information, going away for four months, make sure that he has a plan [but] the plan has to change. I’m not sure he can train the same way.”
Pettersson’s preparation is something that has been a focus. Last summer, he wasn’t able to fully train because of a lingering knee injury. The club clearly wants him to work harder in the offseason, and that was the motivation for management seemingly wanting Pettersson to stick around in Vancouver this summer.
It seems like the two sides reached a compromise as Pettersson confirmed today he’ll be spending some extra time in Vancouver before going back home to Sweden to continue his training.
“I’m going to take advantage of the extra month of training to come in ready for next season,” said Pettersson.
This wasn’t only a difficult season for Pettersson on the ice. He was also at the centre of a very public feud with ex-teammate J.T. Miller, which was a massive distraction for the group.
Tocchet admitted today it was difficult but that in the end, there was no resolution other than a trade that would work.
“This is a really hard question because I’m a J.T. Miller fan, they’re both great hockey players,” continued Tocchet. “Did it get uncomfortable? Yeah. A lot of meetings, a lot of things.”
“Could something have been different? You know, I hear people on the sidelines…’They’ve got to go to dinner, they’ve got to fight it out.’ You don’t think we tried all that stuff? It just didn’t work out, and I know everybody’s looking for a bad guy. I don’t know if there’s a bad guy in the thing; it just didn’t work out.”