Nothing is going well with the Vancouver Canucks.
As Elias Pettersson goes through a dark period, both sportingly and personally, tensions in the locker room reach a breaking point.
Rumors explode: Pettersson and JT Miller are incapable of supporting each other, and the situation is becoming unbearable.
The Buffalo Sabers have even offered Tage Thompson, their star forward, to acquire Pettersson, while the Canucks are exploring all options to strengthen themselves.
The Canucks locker room is in chaos. Elias Pettersson, often criticized for his nonchalant attitude and his lack of physical preparation, seems totally overwhelmed.
With six games without a single point, he embodies the disappointments of a team which is struggling to justify the enormous salaries paid to its star players.
For his part, JT Miller, another number one figure on the team, is absent. After taking an indefinite leave of absence, he returned, but his production is anemic: only three assists in six games.
Worse still, his lack of commitment – no shot attempted, only one check in the last match – is strongly criticized.
The tensions between Pettersson and Miller only amplify the crisis. According to several sources, the two players had a verbal altercation, then a physical altercation, which would have broken any collaboration on the ice.
Yesterday, after the match, Pettersson accused the Vancouver media of making up this conflict, but everyone knows the Swede is lying.
It's a pity to see. The way he looked down, not looking the media in the eye, said it all. He was lying…all along. To see in the following video extract:
Captain Quinn Hughes and Rick Tocchet try to calm things down, but the fracture seems irreparable.
In this explosive context, the Buffalo Sabers sense the opportunity. According to Elliotte Friedman, Buffalo would have proposed a monumental trade: Tage Thompson and complementary pieces in return for Pettersson.
The idea appeals to the Canucks, who are desperate to bulk up physically on offense.
However, this exchange remains hypothetical. Pettersson's full no-trade clause poses a significant obstacle.
Buffalo isn't necessarily an attractive destination for the Swedish player, who is known to be selective about his geographic preferences.
The idea of seeing Elias Pettersson join the Montreal Canadiens also ignites some fans. But for that, Kent Hughes would have to make a colossal sacrifice, probably including Juraj Slafkovsky.
This option seems highly unlikely, with Hughes having made it clear that he would not sacrifice the future of the team for a player in turmoil.
Beyond Slafkovsky, the Canucks would require other major assets, like Kirby Dach. This requirement cools any possibility of a trade involving Montreal, especially since Nick Suzuki is considered untouchable.
Criticism of Pettersson is not limited to his performances. His attitude after matches, where he often appears irritated and in denial about the team's problems, is seen as a lack of leadership.
During the last match, Pettersson avoided the media, while Miller remained nowhere to be found to answer questions.
Expectations for Pettersson were immense following his eight-year, $92.8 million contract extension. ($11.6 million per year).
Today, this contract seems to be a burden for the organization. Are the Canucks ready to move on from their former rising star to start a new cycle?
Rick Tocchet, known for his outspokenness, has publicly pointed out the shortcomings of his star players. Meanwhile, general manager Patrik Allvin remains open to all proposals.
He confirmed that the phone keeps ringing, but no exchange has been finalized yet.
Time is running out for Vancouver. If Pettersson and Miller cannot coexist, a departure seems inevitable for one of them.
The Canucks must quickly make a decision before this internal crisis infects the entire team.
Elias Pettersson is currently experiencing one of the most difficult moments of his career. His fall on the ice and his behind-the-scenes conflicts put his future in Vancouver in jeopardy.
Supporters, frustrated by disappointing results and sky-high salaries, are demanding radical changes.
The Buffalo Sabers could offer a way out, but the decision is up to Pettersson and his no-trade clause.
Meanwhile, Montreal seems out of the race, Kent Hughes not wanting to sacrifice the future of CH for a player in crisis.
For Pettersson, every match becomes a test.
If he doesn't react quickly, his story with the Canucks could soon end, in shame and regret.
But it won't be in Montreal. Juraj Slafkovsky is in Montreal to stay.
While rumors surrounding Elias Pettersson ignite the NHL and some dream of a trade involving Juraj Slafkovsky, one thing is clear: the Slovak is untouchable.
Not only does he represent the future of the Canadian, but his current impact on the team proves that he is already a key piece, capable of raising the level of play of an entire group.
The Habs seem to have two faces this season: that of a team that struggles when Slafkovsky disappears, and that of a formidable team when number 20 is at the top of his game.
This duality has never been clearer than over the past week. With three consecutive victories and only one defeat, the Canadian shone thanks to a first trio carried by a transformed Slafkovsky, alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
In the 5-1 blowout win over the Red Wings, Slafkovsky showed why he is essential to this team.
His physical presence, his ability to protect the puck and his reading of the game allowed the trio to dominate at five on five, accumulating nearly 75% of shot attempts and 72% of shots on target.
This wasn't just a coincidence: it was the result of a fully committed player.
Questioned after this performance, Slafkovsky delivered a response that was as simple as it was revealing:
“The difference is that I skate. »
In other words, he moves his feet, he attacks the game, he creates opportunities. This development is also highlighted by his teammates, who marvel at his strength in possession of the puck and his ability to impose his rhythm.
For Martin St-Louis, the head coach, it all starts with preparation:
“To be confident is to be prepared. You prepare for training, before the match. You are responsible for your confidence. »
Slafkovsky clearly took this message to heart. Thanks to his imposing size, combined with a more dynamic game, he causes enormous problems for opposing defenses, freeing up space for his partners and extending offensive sequences.
Slafkovsky's performance cannot be reduced to raw statistics. His influence on the ice goes well beyond the numbers.
When he is in full possession of his means, he transforms the Canadian into a team capable of competing with the best.
This is why Kent Hughes has no intention of sacrificing him, even for a player like Elias Pettersson.
At only 20 years old (Pettersson is 27), Slafkovsky is an essential piece of the CH's future.
The Canucks are looking to bulk up offensively, and Slafkovsky fits that profile exactly. But offering a player of his caliber at such a young age would be counterproductive for Montreal, especially since he is still on the rise.
In 2024, selling out a young talent like him would amount to shooting a project in full development in the foot.
When Slafkovsky plays with confidence, he takes the whole team with him. His teammates, like Emil Heineman and Jake Evans, have emphasized: his presence is contagious.
Whether it's dominating possession, getting involved physically or creating sparks in battles, he embodies the type of player who can change the course of a match.
Its association with Suzuki and Caufield also proves its strategic value. By creating space for his partners, he amplifies their impact, making the Canadian's first line all the more formidable.
The confident Slafkovsky is a Canadian who wins.
In this sense, keeping him in Montreal is much more than a logical decision: it is a necessity to build a winning future.
For Kent Hughes, the debate is closed. Slafkovsky is untouchable, not only because he is an exceptional player, but also because he represents the identity and potential of this transforming Canadian.
And as long as he continues to “move his feet,” the team will continue to progress with him.
Elias Pettersson can go and act elsewhere.
