Ex-Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Luke Schenn Makes Questionable Comparison For Elias Pettersson
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn had a pretty big comparison for Elias Pettersson when the two played together during the 2018-19 season and again from 2021 to 2023.
The 2024-25 season was a tough one for Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson as he struggled to produce for the majority of the year, had a feud with former teammate J.T. Miller and saw his name pop up in trade rumors.
After the trade deadline, Pettersson took his game to another level, finishing his season with 11 points in ten games before suffering an injury on March 22nd that ended his year, but everyone around him including former teammate Luke Schenn believe that he will bounce back in the 2025-26 campaign.
Luke Schenn has high praise for Elias Pettersson, compared him to Hall of Famer
During a recent interview on The People's Show on Sportsnet 650 radio, former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn, who is currently a member of the Winnipeg Jets, was full of praise for his former teammate Elias Pettersson.
Schenn said that when he first got to Vancouver in early 2019 and saw Elias Pettersson play, he reminded him a bit of Hockey Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk.
"When I first got there and saw him play, he kind of reminded me of like a Pavel Datsyuk or something like that. He's the first guy that came to mind. The way he controlled the puck, played both ends of the ice." Schenn said.
The former Canucks defenseman also said that he believes Elias Pettersson will be able to bounce back and understands the adversity he's facing as they're both high draft picks in a Canadian market, which comes with a lot more pressure.
Schenn added that Elias Pettersson is a phenomenal player and is a big piece of the Vancouver Canucks organization and not many players go through their career without it being a bit of a rollercoaster and it's all about finding ways to push through it and using the resources around him to aid his development as a player.
"Not to comment on it too much but in terms of relating careers, I went through some ups and downs and being a higher draft pick in a Canadian market, not that I would ever compare myself, he's obviously extremely more gifted than I ever am.
But I think at the end of the day, everyone has adversity in their career and if you continue to push through and believe in yourself and keep trying to get better and find ways to evolve, eventually he'll figure it out. I think it's no different.
Obviously came into the league and had a ton of success and whether it's injuries or a combination of different things, it's not been smooth sailing, but I think he's gonna...you know, he's a phenomenal player and he's going to be a big part of that organization there and I have the ultimate belief in him.
With the skillset like that, he's a guy who cares. Like I said, not too many guys go throughout their career where it's a straight arrow to the top, a lot of guys it's a bit of a rollercoaster and you have to continue to find ways to work it out and he's obviously got a great supporting cast and an organization that believes in him." Schenn said.
But I think at the end of the day, everyone has adversity in their career and if you continue to push through and believe in yourself and keep trying to get better and find ways to evolve, eventually he'll figure it out. I think it's no different.
Obviously came into the league and had a ton of success and whether it's injuries or a combination of different things, it's not been smooth sailing, but I think he's gonna...you know, he's a phenomenal player and he's going to be a big part of that organization there and I have the ultimate belief in him.
With the skillset like that, he's a guy who cares. Like I said, not too many guys go throughout their career where it's a straight arrow to the top, a lot of guys it's a bit of a rollercoaster and you have to continue to find ways to work it out and he's obviously got a great supporting cast and an organization that believes in him." Schenn said.
While there's still a chance that Elias Pettersson could get moved by Patrik Allvin this summer, as the General Manager said he'd be stupid not to keep his options open, don't be surprised if he's still with the club this fall when opening night rolls around.
The Vancouver Canucks believe in Pettersson and feel that he can get back to being a 90-100 point player, which is a big reason why they gave him $11.6 million annually, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.
At the end of the day, everyone is rooting for Elias Pettersson to bounce back and succeed next season and if he's able to do that, then the Vancouver Canucks will have a really good shot at returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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MAI 30 | 1155 ANSWERS Ex-Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Luke Schenn Makes Questionable Comparison For Elias Pettersson Do you think Pavel Datsyuk is a fair comparison for Elias Pettersson for how he played during Luke Schenn's time in Vancouver? | ||
| Yes | 435 | 37.7 % |
| No | 720 | 62.3 % |
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