The Vancouver Canucks are giving Elias Pettersson a reset.
On Wednesday, the Canucks announced that Pettersson had been sent to the AHL for the first time in nearly a year.
The 21-year-old defenceman last played an AHL game back on Feb. 15.
Pettersson impressed both fans and Canucks brass last season with surprisingly steady defensive play for his age, good mobility, and a willingness to be physical.
In 2024-25, the Canucks controlled 50.4 per cent of expected goals when D-Petey was on the ice. The Canucks played safe, relatively low-event hockey in his minutes.
That hasn’t been the case this season.
The Canucks are allowing 3.63 goals against per 60 when Pettersson is on the ice this season. That’s the worst mark on the team among all regular Canucks skaters.
Over his last five games, the Canucks have been outscored 5-1 with Pettersson on the ice at even strength.
A revolving door of partners hasn’t helped; however, Pettersson hasn’t had success with any of his regular partners. Here are his numbers at five-on-five with his three most common partners this season.
Tyler Myers: 101:04 ice time with Pettersson (35.4 per cent expected goals for)
Filip Hronek: 89:10 ice time with Pettersson (31.8 per cent expected goals for)
Tom Willander: 55:54 ice time with Pettersson (37.8 per cent expected goals for)
The move does leave the Canucks with only six healthy defencemen on the roster, so another recall could be incoming.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph has been in the lineup ahead of Pettersson during the Canucks last two games. He’s averaged just 10:03 of ice time in those contests.
Nikita Tolopilo was also sent to the AHL by the Canucks on Wednesday. He left the team earlier this week after his wife went into labour.