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Slump: Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson Already Under Fire After Horrendous Start to the Season
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson is already drawing some heavy criticism regarding his play early on in the National Hockey League's 2025-26 season.
The Vancouver Canucks are only three games into their 2025-26 campaign and so far, things aren't looking great, as the club is set to embark on a five-game road trip starting Thursday night in Dallas.
It's still early and it's not even close to time to push a panic button just yet, but there have been concerns regarding the play of certain players on the roster, including forward Elias Pettersson, who told the media during the summer that he is "out for revenge" this season.
"I haven't thought about it, but for myself it's revenge. I'm not happy with last season. I'm trying to lead by example. But I know that I can become a better leader, in that aspect. I'm trying my best, but also trying to get better." Pettersson said.
Elias Pettersson drawing heavy criticism for his play early on in 2025-26 season
It's fair to say that everyone is rooting for Elias Pettersson and wants him to do well because when he's at the top of his game, the team is too, which is something that all fans of the Vancouver Canucks are hoping to see at some point soon..
However, through three games of the 2025-26 season, which includes back-to-back losses to the Edmonton Oilers & St. Louis Blues respectively, Elias Pettersson has just ONE shot at five-on-five.
"Elias Pettersson has one shot at 5-on-5 this season.
Simply not enough.
#Canucks" Noah Strang said.
Simply not enough.
#Canucks" Noah Strang said.
Meanwhile, his last 100 games, the Sundsvall, Sweden native has less shots-on-goal than some players who are 12-14 years older than him, including 40-year-old Brent Burns and 38-year-old Kris Letang.
"shots registered in the last 100 games played of their careers:
elias pettersson: 178 shots (26 years old)
david perron: 181 shots (38 years old)
brent burns: 209 shots (40 years old)
kris letang: 209 shots (38 years old)
mats zuccarello: 221 shots (38 years old)" @ArashMemarzadeh of Sportsnet 650 said.
elias pettersson: 178 shots (26 years old)
david perron: 181 shots (38 years old)
brent burns: 209 shots (40 years old)
kris letang: 209 shots (38 years old)
mats zuccarello: 221 shots (38 years old)" @ArashMemarzadeh of Sportsnet 650 said.
Due to Pettersson's subpar play to start the season, some members of the Vancouver Canucks fan base aren't too happy with what they're seeing and are worried about whether or not he can get back to the player he once was.
Elias Pettersson being worse than last season wasn't really talked about this summer. It's time to accept this inevitability. He ain't 'coming back'. @curtisandrews said.
"It's clear that Elias Pettersson has some major confidence issues, wonder how much better things would get for him if he wasn't playing for such incredibly pathetic and toxic fans who hate him.
#Canucks" @JuliusFreezer said.
#Canucks" @JuliusFreezer said.
""awfully quiet" ... the games commentators describing Elias Pettersson's play in a #Canucks game
happens fairly regular .. describing EP40 like that (or my fave, "invisible")" @jamberxX said.
happens fairly regular .. describing EP40 like that (or my fave, "invisible")" @jamberxX said.
"pettersson , Pettersson and Pettersson. The whole season hinges on him being a effective two way forward . Offensively and Defensively. If he is a 60 point player then how do you move forward with him on the team?" @SuperDaffyd said.
It's certainly not the start to the season that the Vancouver Canucks or Elias Pettersson were hoping for, especially after the summer he had, training hard back in Sweden, but we're only three games in and there's still plenty of time for him to prove to fans that he can be the player he was a couple of years ago.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 14 | 1184 ANSWERS Slump: Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson Already Under Fire After Horrendous Start to the Season Are you worried at all about Elias Pettersson or should fans ease up a little bit? | ||
| I'm worried about him | 856 | 72.3 % |
| Not worried, it's still early, fans should ease up | 328 | 27.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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