Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin Gives Honest Assessment of Elias Pettersson's Start to the 2025-26 Season
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin has given an honest assessment for forward Elias Pettersson's start to the NHL's 2025-26 season.
We're over the one month mark since the National Hockey League's 2025-26 campaign began and so far, it hasn't been the greatest season for the Vancouver Canucks as the club sits sixth in the Pacific Division with eight wins in 17 games and only the Edmonton Oilers & Calgary Flames are below them in the standings.
One player that the Vancouver Canucks are going to need more out of is Swedish forward Elias Pettersson, who is drawing a ton of criticism of late, especially for his lack of shooting, something he said he needs to improve on as the season rolls along.
"I agree, I can shoot more. There's nothing hindering me from shooting. I think I've always been a pass-first guy, and if I think I could put someone else in a better position to score, then I always do that. That's how I see the game. I've always been like that. But I also know I have a good shot." Pettersson said to MacIntyre.
He added, "Definitely, I think, it's a mindset that I can be better at. Like, I know I have a good shot, but maybe I haven't scored as much lately, so I'm trying to find a good pass instead. It's a mindset. I know I can score, but yeah, I'm always trying to find the perfect play."
He added, "Definitely, I think, it's a mindset that I can be better at. Like, I know I have a good shot, but maybe I haven't scored as much lately, so I'm trying to find a good pass instead. It's a mindset. I know I can score, but yeah, I'm always trying to find the perfect play."
Patrik Allvin gives honest assessment of Elias Pettersson's start to the season
Following Saturday's win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin was the guest on After Hours with Scott Oake on CBC where he opened up on a number of topics from the potential for a rebuild to the team's start to the season.
Allvin said that he's been quite proud of what Elias Pettersson has done so far this season, playing a strong two-way game along with stepping up and taking on a big role for the club amid their injury issues down the middle with Filip Chytil and Teddy Bluger on the sidelines.
"I think he's been handling it really well. I've been very, very proud of Elias' two-way game. He came in in good shape for training camp and was invested right away. He's built a great relationship with Adam Foote, the Head Coach, and being part of the leadership. I think his two-way game and his defensive game has been really good and the reality here is the game in Washington when we lost three players, two centers, in one game, he's been taking on a lot of heavy matchups. I see a lot of growth in his game and yeah, I think if you ask him too, I think he will say he needs to shoot the puck a little bit more because he's had chances. But I think that's part of confidence." Allvin said.
The Canucks GM was also asked if he believes Elias Pettersson needs to get back to being a 100 point player and while it would be nice, Allvin said that he would be even more happy if his team as a whole finished the regular season with 100 points.
He added that he doesn't believe Pettersson needs to reach that mark as it's more important for him to do other things, on both sides of the puck, whether that be a big face-off win, blocked shot, takeaway, etc. in order to help his team get the two points on a nightly basis.
"Well, I would be more happy if the team gets over 100 points than one player, which means playing the right way. I don't necessarily see it that way, that he needs to get to 100 points. I think it's learning to understand that two points for the team is what matters at the end of the day and the way he's sacrificed and the way he's out there in the last eight seconds today and blocking shots and taking big face-offs, that's what I want to see." Allvin said.
So far this season, Pettersson has just three goals in 17 games and while no one is questioning his effort from a defensive standpoint, everyone would love to see him shoot the puck more and find the back of the net, something that would certainly increase the Canucks' chances of making it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the spring.
Source: After Hours/Sportsnet
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