Elias Pettersson Makes His Future in Vancouver Clear

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Tyler Ball
September 21, 2023 (7:01 PM)

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The Vancouver Canucks and Elias Pettersson have been in the news this summer due to his impending free agency. Now training camp has opened and Pettersson was able to clear up some of the rumors around this situation.

Pettersson Clears Up His Future In Vancouver

Elias Pettersson spoke to the media today as part of the first day of training camp activities. During this media availability, he was of course asked about his contract situation. His answer gave some answers but also more questions too.

Elias Pettersson on his contract status:

"It's not a distraction. You guys make it a distraction. I've got one more year left. I'm happy now, but I just want to focus on the season, my teammates, and just come out with a good start with the team."

Pettersson seems to take a shot at the media for asking him about his future in Vancouver. He then goes on today that he just wants to focus on the season and his teammates to have a good start to the season.

Pettersson is coming off of a career year in Vancouver where he had 102 points in 80 games. With this type of production, Pettersson will likely be looking to be one of the highest-paid players in the NHL.

Canucks Looking To Bounce Back With A Revamped Core

After selling off several pieces last season the Vancouver Canucks began to build back up under their new core. This includes Elias Pettersson as well as new Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. They also return breakout rookie Andrei Kuzmenko who had 74 points in 81 games last season.

The Canucks will look to improve upon their 11th place finish in the Western Conference and push for a playoff spot this season. If the Canucks continue to struggle though the contract and trade talks around Elias Pettersson will only continue to intensify.