Elias Pettersson is entering the upcoming NHL season with a strong sense of purpose, determined to bounce back from what he calls a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. Speaking at Sweden’s Olympic orientation camp, the Vancouver Canucks forward expressed his hunger for personal “revenge” after failing to meet his own standards last season.
He recorded just 45 points in 64 games, a significant drop from the 102 points he achieved in 2022-23 and even below the 89 points from 2023-24. Pettersson is clear-eyed about the setback and is determined to reclaim his peak performance.
Stronger, Healthier, and Ready: Pettersson Focuses on Redemption After Difficult Season
To prepare for a stronger season, Pettersson has focused heavily on improving his physical conditioning. At 6-foot-2 and now weighing more than his usual 176 pounds, he’s added muscle mass to enhance his speed and strength on the ice.
He noted that he’s been healthy this offseason, free from the injuries that plagued him last year, including knee tendinitis and an oblique strain. This clean bill of health has allowed him to train fully and build foundational strength that he hopes will translate into a more explosive, consistent performance.
Elias Pettersson (NHL)The previous season was a disappointment not only for Pettersson individually but for the Canucks as a team. Despite missing the playoffs in 2024, the team had previously won the Pacific Division and made a solid postseason run.
With a lucrative eight-year, $92.8 million contract now under his belt, expectations for Pettersson are sky-high. Both Canucks management and Pettersson himself acknowledged the importance of this offseason in resetting and preparing for a more impactful year ahead.
Pettersson Embraces Leadership Role and Welcomes Key Moves to Strengthen Canucks
As he enters his eighth NHL season, Pettersson is growing into a leadership role within the Canucks, especially among the younger Swedish players like Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Linus Karlsson, and namesake Elias Pettersson.
He sees mentoring these younger teammates as an opportunity to pay forward the guidance he received earlier in his career. While he admits there’s room to grow as a leader, Pettersson is committed to leading by example and helping shape the future of the team.
Vancouver’s offseason moves have further boosted Pettersson’s confidence in the team’s direction. He praised the acquisition of gritty, goal-scoring forward Evander Kane and celebrated the re-signing of longtime teammate Brock Boeser.
These roster decisions signal the Canucks’ intent to remain competitive and build on their core. Pettersson is optimistic about the team’s chemistry and believes that keeping most of the roster intact gives them a strong chance to achieve something special this season.
