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Former Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Doesn't Hold Back When Criticizing Elias Pettersson
Photo credit: NHL
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has had a very tough season so far as he's struggled to produce offense and has been dealing with trade rumors and noise from a rumored rift with former teammate J.T. Miller.
Because of his struggles this season, Elias Pettersson has drawn plenty of criticism this season, including from former Vancouver Canuck Jannik Hansen earlier this week and the ex-NHLer had some more to say on Friday about the Swedish forward.
Jannik Hansen doesn't hold back when speaking on Elias Pettersson's struggles
Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen was a guest on Sportsnet 650 radio on Friday where he gave his thoughts on Elias Pettersson's struggles and he did not mince his words.
Hansen said that Pettersson is getting the opportunities to perform, like Thursday's game in San Jose where he have several chances to shoot the puck, but he didn't.
He also pointed to the fact that Elias Pettersson said he wanted the pressure and now that he's getting that pressure, he's not playing up to how he should be with just one assist in four games since the J.T. Miller trade last Friday.
"He's a black hole right now for everything good. He had multiple opportunities yesterday to shoot the puck and it didn't happen for whatever reason. Passing it off, losing pucks. He wants pressure, well here's the pressure and it's worse than when J.T. [Miller] was screaming down his throat in the dressing room, apparently. Because now, there's nowhere to hid. Every time you line up, and this will only last for so long, because teams will realize 'okay, it's not Petey we need to worry about anymore, he's not doing anything for the Canucks, it's these other guys.'" Hansen said."
Hansen went on to say that you need guys like Pettersson, who is the team's number one centerman and biggest star among the 12 forwards on the NHL roster, to perform and when your top guys are producing, you're not going to have much success.
"But there's nowhere to hid now. He is the number one center, he's the main focal point when you go look at the 12 forwards. Who's he playing with? Stop them and we have a pretty good chance and San Jose almost did it. Like yeah, we got a shot from the half wall that goes in off of some guy and it's like, that's how you have to win games right now because the offense isn't clicking. We don't have players when Quinn [Hughes] is out and J.T. is gone, that you can count on producing goals every night. Your star players, the guys who are leading your team, you have to be able to count on them scoring every night." said Hansen.
Pettersson will continue to get the opportunity to produce because as long as he's on this team, he's their number one center, but it's getting to a make or break point in Vancouver and nobody is happy with how his season is going after getting that massive contract that pays him $11.6 million annually.
After dealing J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers last week, the Vancouver Canucks reportedly took Elias Pettersson off the trade block, but with just 27 days until the trade deadline for the 2024-25 season, anything can happen and there's always a chance the 26-year-old could be moved before 12 pm PT on Friday, March 7th.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 8 | 966 ANSWERS Former Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Doesn't Hold Back When Criticizing Elias Pettersson What do you think the Vancouver Canucks should do with Elias Pettersson? | ||
| Trade him | 487 | 50.4 % |
| Keep him | 206 | 21.3 % |
| Wait until the off-season to make a decision | 273 | 28.3 % |
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