Canucks players assigned to strengthen Elias Pettersson's mental toughness through "tough love"

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Maverick Mitchell
October 25, 2024 (4:11 PM)

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A new report by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reveals that the Vancouver Canucks players have been tasked to handle the development and issues of Elias Pettersson moving forward.

On Today's episode of the '32 Thoughts Podcast, where NHL insiders and Sportsnet analysts Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas host, Elias Pettersson was the popular topic being discussed.

A lot of this is inspired by the events that took place at Canucks practice just a few days ago where J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson got into a heated altercation where some words and crosschecks were exchanged.

The events mentioned above where further elevated when multiple reports indicated that Pettersson does not handle criticism well and that the constant comments, news stories and posts about him have been effecting his play.

The main conclusion that Elliotte Friedman came up with is that, regardless of how you feel about the media and what is being said about you, after signing a massive eight-year, $92.8 million contract, Pettersson needs to be tougher.

«It was felt that as great as he is, they needed to get him to be tougher,» Friedman said.

Vancouver Canucks players assigned to toughen up Elias Pettersson through "Tough Love"

What Friedman has been hearing from his sources is that the task is to toughen up Pettersson through tough love, but the message is not coming from the coaches or management, but from his own teammates, and with the altercation at practice, J.T. Miller may be taking it too literally.

«What I also believe They didn't want it to be up to Rutherford or Allvin or Tocchet to do it. They really believe in their leadership group,» Friedman added. «I think they said, �You guys are the ones that are going to have to do it.' Miller's obviously taking that very literally I think Hughes is involved too.»

«I think the Canucks see this as it might be better for Pettersson if it comes from his teammates as opposed to the coach or the GM. I think what the Canucks have said to their leadership group is �Elias needs to get to another level. You all see it. And we want you guys to get him there.' And I think they all see it, they understand it, and they're trying to push him there.»

It's clear that Friedman believes that the attitudes Pettersson feels towards him are personal, but at the end of the day, that needs to be separated as it is just to make him the best version of himself.

«I don't think [Pettersson] always likes it. I think they're hoping he will understand that it's to make them win.»