Vancouver Canucks Star Elias Pettersson Called Out By Former Head Coach for Lacking Drive & Leadership

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Maverick Mitchell
November 8, 2024 (11:30)

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Whether it is his own doing or not, Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson can't seem to catch a break in the media, and this time, it is insider and former NHL head coach/GM Doug MacLean who is taking his shots.

The ex-general manager and coach went on a recent episode of Sportsnet's Kyper and Bourne, the podcast hosted by former NHLers Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne, where they discussed Elias Pettersson's issues and his strange inability to turn his season around for the better.

Some would say that Pettersson has looked more engaged on the ice as of late, but in reality, the numbers are not there to back it up. MacLean looked at Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes for comparison, to truly describe what work ethic, commitment and leadership looks like.

He believes that Pettersson lacks those qualities and especially the compete level to be on that same level.

Former NHL Coach Stunned with the Play of Elias Pettersson

Doug Maclean went on to say that he is shocked by what he is seeing out of the 25-year-old star, saying he does not understand what is holding him back. He continues to dig into Pettersson, questioning his will to win, especially playing along side Quinn Hughes, who is a perfect role model on what it is to be considered a gold standard superstar.

"I don't know what's gone wrong with this kid. We can talk confidence, we can talk all these things, the contract, I mean, what is he, 11.3 million dollars? And right now, that's gonna hurt this team to try and build a team with that kind of dollars tied up in that kind of production. It's scary right now to watch how he's playing." MacLean said.

He added, "I can't believe that Pettersson wouldn't take a look at Hughes, how he plays the game and how he competes and how he wants to get better and how he wants to win, and you play lackluster the way Pettersson is right now. It's shocking to me. It really is."

All in all, it is not right that Elias Pettersson is getting ripped on this much in the media, but, it is hard not to side with Doug MacLean here. Pettersson is getting paid north of $11 million a year and has only 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 12 games. Could it be physical, or is it mental? Only time will tell once the season progresses.