Elias Pettersson Determined to Bounce Back with Canucks After Disappointing Season: ‘This is Personal’
After a difficult 2024-25 season, Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson is entering the new NHL campaign with renewed focus, added strength, and a chip on his shoulder.
Speaking from Stockholm during Sweden’s orientation camp ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, the 26-year-old made it clear he’s out for redemption after what he described as a season that fell well short of expectations.
“I haven’t really thought about it like that,” Pettersson admitted when asked about the upcoming season, “but for myself, it’s revenge. I’m not happy with last season. I know what I’m capable of.”
Pettersson’s numbers took a noticeable hit in 2024-25. After a 102-point performance (39 goals, 63 assists) in the 2022-23 season and a strong follow-up of 89 points in 2023-24, he dipped to just 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 64 games this past season. That regression coincided with the Canucks missing the playoffs, finishing with a 38-30-14 record and falling six points short of a wild-card spot.
There were several contributing factors. A bout of knee tendinitis during the offseason limited Pettersson’s preparation and lingered into the regular season. Later, an oblique injury forced him to miss the final 12 games. It was clear from the start that he wasn’t physically at 100%, and it showed.
Now healthy, Pettersson is attacking his offseason with intensity, focused on building both his strength and speed to return to the elite form that made him a franchise cornerstone. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 176 pounds, Pettersson said he’s added some muscle, aiming to improve his overall base strength and agility on the ice.
“You always want to get quicker, more explosive,” he said. “Building that base strength is important. If I gain a few pounds along the way, it’s a bonus.”
This level of commitment doesn’t come as a surprise. Back in April, during the team’s exit interviews, Pettersson himself acknowledged the importance of the upcoming offseason. The Canucks’ front office—General Manager Patrik Allvin and President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford—echoed that sentiment, pointing to the forward as a key piece who needed to reset after a trying year.
Pettersson is entering the first full season of an eight-year, $92.8 million contract he signed on March 2, 2024. With a hefty $11.6 million annual cap hit, the spotlight is brighter than ever, and the pressure to perform is equally intense. He’s aware of it, but instead of shrinking under the weight, he’s using it as motivation.
“I’m learning from what happened last year,” he said. “That’s part of becoming a more mature player.”
Now one of the more seasoned voices in the Canucks’ dressing room, Pettersson is embracing a leadership role—especially when it comes to younger Swedish teammates like Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Linus Karlsson, and namesake defenseman Elias Pettersson.
“It brings back memories of my own start,” he said, reflecting on his early days in the NHL. “These guys are all very skilled players. I just try to be a good teammate and help where I can. Leading by example is important—but I also know I can be a better leader. That’s something I’m working on.”
Leadership is a recurring theme in Pettersson’s offseason approach. After a year filled with frustration and injury setbacks, he’s recommitting not just to his own game, but to being the kind of player and teammate who helps elevate those around him.
That sentiment has been reinforced by Vancouver’s offseason moves, which have signaled a win-now attitude from the front office. One of the more eye-catching transactions came on June 25, when the Canucks acquired veteran forward Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
“I was really happy when I saw that trade,” Pettersson said. “He’s the kind of player we need—he’s gritty, physical, but also capable of putting the puck in the net.”
The Canucks also managed to lock in one of Pettersson’s closest teammates, Brock Boeser, to a seven-year, $50.75 million extension ($7.25 million average annual value) on July 1. The move was met with enthusiasm from Pettersson, who’s played alongside Boeser throughout his career in Vancouver.
“He’s been there the whole time I’ve been in Vancouver,” Pettersson said. “It’s great that he signed. It’s fun, but more importantly, it’s crucial that we were able to keep most of our core together. I really believe we’ve got something special.”
Indeed, the Canucks’ roster retains most of the same group that surged to the top of the Pacific Division in 2023-24 and made a spirited run to the second round of the playoffs. That version of the Canucks felt like a contender on the rise, and Pettersson wants to recapture that momentum—with added urgency and personal resolve.
The fire inside Pettersson is unmistakable as he looks to rewrite the narrative around his 2024-25 campaign. Injuries, regression, and mounting expectations may have derailed him temporarily, but they haven’t broken his belief in what’s possible.
“I’ve been healthy and able to go full-speed in training,” he said. “There’s no lingering issue holding me back right now. Last year was tough, but the lessons are learned—and I’m hungrier than ever to come back strong.”
If that hunger translates to performance, Vancouver fans could be in for a thrilling bounce-back year from one of their franchise cornerstones. And for Elias Pettersson, it won’t just be about points or accolades—it’ll be about proving something, to himself and to everyone who’s been watching.
