Elias Pettersson is ready to reaffirm his status as one of the NHL’s top forwards.
From injuries to his reported rift with former Canuck and now Ranger J.T. Miller to trade rumours to talk about his lack of preparation, Pettersson’s 2024-25 campaign was one to forget.
The Vancouver Canucks centre endured the worst statistical season of his pro career last year (excluding 2020-21 when he played 26 games), posting lows of 15 goals and 30 assists in 64 games. But the former Calder Trophy winner is ready to put last season in the rearview and return to the version of himself that earned an eight-year, $92.8-million contract in March 2024.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Pettersson said on Wednesday at Sweden’s orientation camp for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, according to NHL.com’s Peter Ekholm. “Actually, I haven’t thought about it, but for myself it’s revenge. I’m not happy with last season.”
If Pettersson’s definition of revenge is playing at the level he’s shown he’s capable of, Vancouver gets its star centre back — the one who posted 102 points in 2022–23 and 89 in 2023–24. Part of that return involves getting stronger.
“I’ve put on some (muscle),” Pettersson said. “It’s always about building your base strength, to get quicker on the ice. To gain a few pounds, get stronger in general, that’s always the goal. But for me it’s a bonus to gain a few pounds.”
With that being said, the 26-year-old also knows that returning to form on the ice is only part of the equation and that how he handles himself off it is just as important.
“… I’m just trying to be a good teammate and help out with what I can help them with,” Pettersson said of his younger teammates. “I’m trying to lead by example. But I know I can become a better leader, in that aspect. I’m trying my best, but also trying to get better.”
Pettersson dealt with knee tendinitis last off-season that lingered throughout the year and missed the final 12 games with an oblique injury.
“I’m learning from what happened last year to be a more mature player going into this season,” he said.
As the saying goes, the best ability is availability. And with his health in focus, the off-season appears to be going as planned.
“I’ve been healthy and have been able to practise at full speed,” Pettersson said. “Right now I don’t have any injuries that kept me off workouts. But obviously last season was tough. With that said, the lessons are learned.
“I’m just really hungry to have a good season.”
