Former Canuck Jannik Hansen doesn't believe it should be up to players to get Elias Pettersson going

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Cooper Godin
October 26, 2024 (8:46)

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Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen doesn't believe it should be up to the players to get Elias Pettersson going.

It's been a slow start to the 2024-25 season for Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson. In the team's first six games, Pettersson hasn't found the back of the net, has just three assists and nine shots-on-goal.

Pettersson has been the talk of the media all week in Vancouver and among the fanbase, with several fans criticizing him because he hasn't been performing up to the $11.6 million he's earning on his new contract.

There's no doubt Pettersson will break out of this slump, but he certainly needs some help and encouragement from the team in this tough period. On a recent edition of Canucks Central, Jannik Hansen gave his thoughts on Elias Pettersson's situation to start the season.

Hansen said that it shouldn't be up to players like J.T. Miller or Quinn Hughes to get Elias Pettersson going by telling him that he's not good enough right now. He believes that could create a toxic locker room and could even alienate Pettersson further.

"You can't have JT or Quinn say "Petey you aren't playing well enough, you aren't good enough right now" because that will breed a terrible locker room conjunction and it will only spiral...It will only alienate him and drive him further." Hansen said.

It's hard to say what the Vancouver Canucks need to do to get Elias Pettersson going. As with any slump, a player usually breaks out of it and it should be the same for Elias Pettersson, granted he's still given an opportunity to succeed and playing on a line with guys who can help him out offensively.

Pettersson's a talented player and nobody wants to succeed more than him. He wants to prove to everyone that he's worth the $11.6 million USD the Canucks are paying him annually for the next eight years. He needs encouragement from his teammates, coaching staff and the management collectively. If Rick Tocchet continues to give Elias Pettersson 19-20 minutes a night, along with opportunities on the powerplay, there's no doubt the 25-year-old will return to being an elite player in the National Hockey League.

Everyone needs to just take a deep breathe and be patient with Elias Pettersson right now. It's understandable that people are frustrated, but right now, the Canucks are only six games into the new season. If Pettersson is still struggling like this 20, 25 or even 30 games into the season, then something needs to happen. But for now, patience is required.