Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson Shares What he Needs to Work on During the Offseason
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Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson shared on Friday what he needs to work on this summer so he'll be ready to go for puck drop in October.
The 2024-25 season is one that Elias Pettersson would like to forget after dealing with a reported feud with former teammate J.T. Miller, a significant drop off in production and injuries, one of which ended his year early.
Heading into the offseason, Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet wants to see Elias Pettersson change how he trains, with Patrik Allvin echoing the same sentiments just says prior.
Elias Pettersson shares what he needs to work on this summer
On Friday, the Vancouver Canucks met with reporters for their season-ending media availability before everyone heads off for the summer and this was the final opportunity before training camp for the media to ask Elias Pettersson about the year, how he's feeling and where he needs to improve.
Pettersson told reporters that he needs to get stronger in the offseason, while adding that last summer, he wasn't able to train properly due to a knee injury he sustained in January 2024.
"It's what I need. Strength doesn't come easy for me. I didn't get the best genetics from my parents. Obviously, I was dealing with a knee injury last off-season, so it was hard to truly train last summer." Pettersson said according to Sportsnet's Brendan Batchelor.
Next season is going to be a really big year for Elias Pettersson as there's no doubt the pressure will be on him to perform after registering just 45 points in 64 games this season.
Over the last three years, Elias Pettersson has seen a decline in production from 102 points in 2022-23 to 89 last year and then 45 this season and for someone as important as he is to the Vancouver Canucks - their highest paid player and number one centerman, they need more out of him during the 2025-26 campaign.
The fans have been split on Elias Pettersson, with some saying he'll bounce back, while some think it's time to move on from him, but from the Vancouver Canucks' perspective, they clearly believe in him and think next season will be a big year production-wise.
It's going to be interesting to see what moves Patrik Allvin makes in the offseason and if he's able to add someone to play alongside Elias Pettersson that can put in the puck in the back of the net.
