The sky seems to be getting darker for Elias Pettersson and the Vancouver Canucks.
The Swedish center player, signed to a colossal contract of $11.6 million over eight years, no longer meets the expectations of fans or those of the organization.
For a player of this stature, supposed to be the offensive soul of the Canucks, his recent performances are a real shame, and the frustration of the fans is intensifying.
Journalist Frank Seravalli was simply scathing about it. This is what he said:
“I think he’s completely lost. I think it’s a confidence thing – when you see a star player in this league come forward on offense and send or throw a backhand towards the net, without even trying to do it. a game, it’s strange.”
He seems to me, and I don’t know if this is the right term, but he seems hesitant, shy, and I would even go so far as to say scared at times, not inviting contact.
The feints that don’t work, the lack of pursuit of the puck, the fact of getting rid of pucks, are very worrying elements for me.
With a contract worth $11.6 million per year for the next eight seasons, Elias Pettersson was supposed to be the centerpiece of a team ready to fight for the Stanley Cup.
But his production (1 goal, 3 assists in 10 games) is a joke, his leadership is questioned, and Vancouver fans are starting to get impatient.
When a player is paid at this level, he should be at the center of the action, not seen as a burden.
Disappointment hangs over Vancouver. Pettersson, once seen as the future star of the Canucks, is today considered by a majority of fans as an obstacle to the team’s progress.
They are increasingly demanding an exchange, a way to free themselves from a massive contract that they say is holding back the organization in its quest for success.
The patience of Vancouver fans has reached its limits, and they wonder if the solution would not be to part ways with their former prodigy to pave the way for a new direction.
For hockey fans in Montreal, this situation will ignite discussions: Should Kent Hughes come forward?
The idea of seeing Elias Pettersson in a blue-white-red uniform is certainly enticing. Despite his recent struggles, Pettersson remains a player of immense talent, capable of changing an attack completely.
But that dream comes at a price, and it’s clear that Vancouver won’t let their fallen star leave without getting a significant return.
If the Canucks opened the door to discussions, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield or Juraj Slafkovsky could be requested in exchange.
The question is therefore delicate for Kent Hughes: would Montreal be ready to sacrifice one of its young rising stars for a player whose performance is the shame of the year and who is paid $11.6 million per year .
The cost of acquiring a player of Pettersson’s caliber is exorbitant, and while the idea of adding him to the Canadiens’ roster seems appealing, the impact on team construction could be devastating.
What is certain is that the story around Elias Pettersson is far from coming to an end. The weight of his contract, the disappointed expectations of fans and the increasingly intense speculation about his future are fueling a situation that cannot last long without a tragic end.
Vancouver will have to evaluate whether their Swedish star can return to his level and meet the high expectations that come with his salary, or if the solution involves a trade.
In any case, the Pettersson case could represent a major turning point for the Canucks and even for other NHL teams, including the Canadiens.
But if Kent Hughes wants to avoid jeopardizing the future of his young talents for a player who is losing momentum, he will have to tread carefully.
Only time will tell if Elias Pettersson will be able to restore the luster to his career, whether in Vancouver or elsewhere. But we are convinced that his talent did not disappear overnight.
In the eyes of Kent Hughes, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky are untouchable. Not for nothing did he sign them for a very long time.
Caufield and Suzuki will remain untouchable, with good reason. We wonder if Juraj Slafkovsky will remain so.
For Elias Pettersson, what do you say instead of Kent Hughes?
