LATEST | Jim Rutherford addresses Elias Pettersson's contract situation

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Cooper Godin
December 12, 2023 (8:51)

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Coming into the 2023-24 season, there was plenty of talk regarding Elias Pettersson and his contract status as he's set to become a restricted free agent next summer.

For now, Pettersson and his camp have decided to put contract talks on the back burner in order to focus on the season at hand and so far, that appears to be working out quite well for the 25-year-old.

Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford recently sat down for an interview with Sportsnet and was asked about Elias Pettersson's situation. Rutherford said that the team is positive regarding their situation at the moment and have no indication that Pettersson doesn't want to remain with the organization beyond this season.

"I don't know if his price is rising. I'm positive about our situation, but can't say more. We've had no indication that Pettersson doesn't want to stay with the Canucks."

Pettersson, a native of Sundsvall, Sweden has been able to tune out all the outside noise regarding his contract status and has been one of the best players in the National Hockey League over the first two months of the 2023-24 season. In 28 games so far, he's recorded 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists), no penalty minutes and is a plus-nine.

It's understandable as to why plenty of Canucks fans were, and still are, nervous about Pettersson's contract status. He was eligible to sign an extension beginning back on July 1st and many were hoping it was going to get done before the 2023-24 season began. But it sounds like both sides are committed to each other and that a deal will get done eventually.

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