Former NHL General Manager believes Elias Pettersson’s best days might be behind him
Vancouver Hockey Daily has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, NHL or NHLPA
Photo credit: Bob Frid – Imagn Images.
A former National Hockey League General Manager believes that the best days might be in the past now for Vancouver Canucks centerman Elias Pettersson.
While he might be looking better on the ice this season than the previous year, Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has still struggled at times offensively during the 2025-26 campaign.
“Pettersson has a similar opportunity to rebuild some of his value and whether that leads to a trade or just allows him to generate some momentum to close out the season remains to be seen. Sometimes when a player like Pettersson is in a difficult situation for a couple of years, it can do a number on their confidence. In Milan, Pettersson is going to be playing with and against elite players everywhere he turns, so if that doesn’t bring out his best, it’s probably time for the Canucks to be very concerned about how his contract is going to age.” Michael Amato of Sportsnet said.
Former NHL GM believes Elias Pettersson’s best days are behind him
During an appearance on Donnie & Dhali this week, former National Hockey League General Manager and current TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button spoke about Elias Pettersson’s season thus far and if he can use the Olympics to help him offensively upon his return to Vancouver.
Button said that Pettersson’s best days might be behind him, calling the Swedish forward the Vancouver Canucks’ version of Jonathan Huberdeau, who had a 100+ point season of his own with the Florida Panthers, but after being traded to the Calgary Flames, has failed to reach that mark offensively.
“At some point in time, and EP40 has been good with respect to this, he’s acknowledged that he’s got to be better, he’s acknowledged that you know there’s times when he’s got to give a little bit more and I’ll be straightforward with you guys, he might be the Vancouver Canucks’ Jonathan Huberdeau. His best days may be behind him.” Button said.
While everyone is still hoping that Elias Pettersson can take his game to that level once again, it’s unclear if he’ll ever be able to do so, which is leading many to wonder if if the Vancouver Canucks should trade him in order to give him a fresh start elsewhere and potentially become that player he once was.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
POLL
43 MINUTES AGO|31 ANSWERS
Former NHL General Manager believes Elias Pettersson’s best days might be behind him
Do you think Elias Pettersson’s best days are now behind him?