LATEST | Rick Dhaliwal updates on Eliotte Friedman's controversial statement regarding Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson said that his contract negotiations would not be a distraction, yet it's been all over the news during the weekend.

THE CANUCKS TAKING A STEP BACK?

Friedman dropped a bombshell yesterday when he stated that due to Pettersson's fear of long term commitment, the Canucks weren't sure and wanted to take a step back from their negotiating.

Today, Rick Dhaliwal got onto to the subject and told a totally different story:

Pettersson has grown to be the backbone of this franchise and if they had to trade him, not only would it set them back years in their retool. But it would be nearly impossible for them to get a player as near as Pettersson's caliber.

Hopefully, the Canucks can get this situation in hand, out of the media circus and out of the locker room. Getting this deal done should be their top priority if it isn't already.

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