Elliotte Friedman blames part of Elias Pettersson's struggles on Vancouver Canucks fans & media

PUBLICATION

Maverick Mitchell
October 24, 2024 (12:22)

SHARE THIS STORY

NHL Insider and Sportsnet analyst Elliotte Friedman spoke on his platform, the '32 Thoughts podcast' to discuss the struggles Elias Pettersson is going through, especially after signing a monster contract.

It is no surprise that fans and Vancouver sports media would be on the back of Pettersson, as he signed a monster $92.8 million contract in May and has severely underperformed. As it stands right now, EP40 only has 3 assists, 0 goals in 6 games...

Many have wondered what it is really going on with him, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has a theory.

Elliotte Friedman blames Vancouver media for parts of Elias Pettersson's struggles

Friedman states that the pressure of playing in a Canadian market, with intense fans and pressure filled media can be affecting the mental part of Elias Pettersson's play. (Per Sportskeeda)

I always say about markets like Vancouver: the rewards are high, but the risks are high," Friedman said. And I suspect, this is my opinion because I think Pettersson is well aware of everything that is said about him, I think he rides the peaks and valleys, and I think that that - that is the thing the he has to get out of his system.

Friedman added that no matter how much money one makes, if you pay too much attention to the outside noise, and what is being said about you, it can severely have a negative impact on your performance.

"Not being in the right mental place right now"

All in all, Pettersson has had better game sin the last 3, but still, for what he is getting paid, he is greatly underperforming. But, as all great players do, we here at Canucks Daily believe he will find his way back to being the player he has shown to be in the past.