What is wrong with Elias Pettersson?

Donnie and Rick chat about the play of Elias Pettersson in the Canucks first 3 games and the hot spotlight currently on him.

[@37BopCity]

I'm tired of hearing the "Petterson is hurt" excuse again. We heard that all last season and into the playoffs. I don't believe he's hurt. If he is hurt, then let Rick Tocchett announce it publicly like they have about Thatcher Demko, and let him get physical treatment. The best analysis of Petterson came from Ray Ferraro a while ago, when you guys interviewed him on your show about Petterson. He said "He's not the fastest, he's not the strongest" and that about sums it up. He just doesn't have that extra degree of hard-core fight in him that you see in guys like JT Miller, who is actually the Canucks Number One Player along with Quinn Hughes.

[@jonquiogue6755]

yeah I never liked him:( Most of the Canucks are slow skaters except for a few but also ... Brock is another one that they need to trade him... Sure he has a nice shot... but he cant skate for shiit and also a VERY SLOW SKATER AS WELL... He's soo slow u would think he's an explosive or an exciting player with the puck... the way he handles the puck he's seems like he doesnt give a shiit.. Just like what these guys said... When Pavel got the puck and started to wind up... OMG... Even when he didnt have the puck... Once he went on the ice... EVERYONE WAS ALWAYS READY FOR SOMETHING...Here's something for u k??? U guys keep saying PETEY NEEDS PLAYERS K??? PAVEL HAD GINO ODJICK RIP CHAMP!!! 💯💯🙏🙏🙌🙌💪💪😭😭ON HIS LINE AND LET ME TELL U!!! HE SCORED SOME GOALS 16 GOALS WITH 13 ASSISTS FOR A TOUGH GUY!!!! WITH PAVEL!!! HIS BEST SEASON EVER!!! HE WAS ONE OF OUR TOUGHEST GUYS!!! LOOK IT UP!!! 💯💯🙏🙏🙌🙌💪💪STOP BABYING THIS WORTHLESS CLOWN... U guys are the ones that made him who HE'S NOT!!! 11.6 MILLION FOR THIS PIECE OF TRASH!!! FLOPPING AROUND AND FALLING DOWN EVERY FUKKING GAME AND ALWAYS COUGHS UP THE PUCK!!! A TURNOVER MACHINE LIKE BROCK BOESER.. ONE MORE YEAR OF THIS AND I HOPE THEY TRADE HIM...

[@mvd4436]

He has the same ES points per 60 as Mcdavid and Mackinnn genius. The reason he's lower is because he kills penalties and is playing 5 minutes+ less per game, genius.

[@brizzchizz7302]

It’s in between the ears with this Guy. You see it on the bench half the time, as if he’s moping about. His interviews speak to it also.

[@Statsy10]

I think so too. He has always been prone to confidence slumps. I think he'll eventually work his way out of it, but I wish people would also give him a bit of room to breath. The media in this town is just brutal. I actually thought he was alright last night, but they cherry-pick one play to show over and over where he could have done better. This is just going to make his slump worse.

[@davidnunn9583]

They should send him to Abbotsford for a couple of months. His problems began when he signed his big contract. His head needs the proverbial shake.

[@SlipStream-l3y]

he is not hurt, definitely not hurt, he was never worth 11.6 million, never!

[@rainyday5654]

He’s following the OEL buy-out protocol.

[@cole9739]

I think it's mental. Seeing Pettersson play these years hes a perfectionist. Always wants to do the right play at the tight time all the time, we've seen it and i think its all in the head, he needs to focus and start from scratch, get a hit get engaged and get the anger out.

[@Cedar692]

His problem he doesn’t have to worry no more $11 million

[@jeremyjones9859]

I hate the gliding of his game. No strides. No driving the net. He just stops skating

[@Kammi444]

Hey D and D, ur comments section is a cesspool. Good job.

[@crushingalldeceivers]

He is a 3rd liner at best right now.

[@darcypadgham7076]

He's not hurt Donnie! He's afraid and has been ever since he experienced the physicality of the last meeting with the Avalanche and then the playoffs. As soon as he hears skates in his vicinity he either coughs up the puck or deliberately throws it away. Allvin made a big mistake signing him until after the playoffs as he's not worth more than Miller's current contract.

[@danbeaudreau499]

He's a point per game over his career. Nothing is wrong.

[@scottelement]

😂😂😂

[@darcypadgham7076]

For 11.6 Mil anything less than a 120 point season this year just isn't going to cut it! He hasn't come close to resembling an elite player. Something is clearly wrong as he's been a completely different player since the three quarter mark of last season and it carried over into the playoffs and now this season as well.

[@dufflebagg]

"I am dealing with an injury" - Elias Pettersson, preseason 2024-25. I don't understand how there is any question about whether or not he is playing hurt. It's crazy how little people want to actually listen to this player and what he literally says. This is NOT reading between the lines, he directly said it and yet we're still debating it like he just was making a funny Swedish joke about tendonitis. Why don't they shut him down? Because there's no surgery for it and he has said this too. He is learning to manage the pain and play thru it and it's affecting his game. That is known information. How long will it affect his game for? I have no clue, and maybe his entire productive years really are done like everyone in this market keeps weirdly assuming, but it's wild to see the number of "insiders" who have had the answer to this question for AGES, that still continue to question it.

[@Marixa1979]

If he was actually injured, he shouldn't be playing. Why are you playing in games 1-4 when injured? It's the go to excuse, but there's no actual evidence to support it. It's the same thing as Lehner when people question anything with him, he just throws out the mental health thing and people immediately lay off. If you're injured, what are you doing to correct it? What is the timeline? Is there not a better option available than a non effective player that says he's injured?

[@dufflebagg]

@@Marixa1979 It sounds like the way to deal with what he is dealing with is to do regular rehab, but it also sounds like there isn't a surgery option that will help. Honestly, it seems like something similar to Kawhi and I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see "load management" come up eventually. The reason he keeps playing is probably simple: the player and team are betting on him learning to manage it effectively in the long run and become a highly-productive player again, but he can't learn to do that by not playing. Again, he may not ever learn how, but I doubt either party wants to think about what it means if he can't.

[@carlosvangrinder3754]

Ya folks can't seem to deal with reality. I knew he was hurt last year and i said so. It took him a while to come right out and say it. Like you mentioned he said it again in the preseason. Anyone that has watched him play can tell he is hurtin. He can't play hurt because he starts to think and that is the kiss of death. He just doesn't have a high tolerance for pain and/or just can't focus when he has a health issue. He needs to address diet, my guess is his sucks. He needs to go Carnivore to heal his weak body, taking him out of the line up will help.

[@christhornycroft3686]

How quickly everyone can turn against you. He’s coming off a 100+ and 85 point seasons. Yes, he’s been quiet early, but a lot of players have.

[@zestplays]

Majority of his points were produced in the first half of last season he’s been underwhelming for 50+ games it’s not quickly turning against him

[@Marixa1979]

That's what happens when you sign the big contract, the expectations go up, and if their performance is underwhelming, it becomes super obvious. Pettersson was garbage in the playoffs, a non factor.

[@christopherfernando484]

its not just these 3 games, its been trending since last half of the last season and playoffs...

[@douggarden]

he's not quiet early dude....he has 8 goals in his last 49 games...he's worth 7 or 8 million per year...THAT'S IT!!!

[@iAN-in9en]

the money in his pocket is weighing him down.

[@BCNeil]

His legs are still sore from those squats. He noticeably avoids contact. Maybe the team needs Doug Glatt

[@1q3er5]

man I was telling everyone dude is not worth 12 mill...now we r fuct

[@zacloomer1921]

Guy refuses to eat more and work out . 25 yrs old and 6’3 he could weigh 200 lbs and still be lean and fast .

[@DonaldMcGee-v1x]

Canucks are going to be fine. The problem with the Canucks is the media, 2 points 3 games not bad

[@VanMichael21]

Really? 2 points in 3 games is not bad ? If they get 2 points every 3 games then they're ending up with 55 points. Lol@that's not bad.

[@5ayes12]

Buy him out and let's tank baby

[@canada1966]

Feel like the game where he was knocked down ot in front of the net vs the blues last year. Hasn’t been the same since

[@ropesauce]

Perimeterson

[@honestlya.b]

11.6 and yet we are talking about setting him up with program for him to not fall down!

[@OvieSnips8]

He's either still hurt, plays too many video games, or Tochett is trying to get him to play too much defense as he tried with Kuzmenko.

[@scottelement]

It’s pretty obvious when media members don’t like players & it’s been OBVIOUS for years that Taylor hates Pettersson. Sooner he admits it, the better!

[@sm4cken]

I see what Don Taylor sees. Someone just isn't being honest here. You can go to a youth hockey game today and see kids skate faster, turn quicker, and fall down less than what Pettersson brings to the Canucks right now.

[@scottelement]

Doesn’t help when you have a dinosaur like Donald Taylor getting half the town calling you “11.6”.

[@scottelement]

Of ALL people, Taylor should realize you shouldn’t dehumanize someone cause they’re rich

[@Xyy2387]

He's mentally and physically weak. Stop with the injury narrative FFS. He got his bag. He has no reason to improve. The guy has zero pride in himself, the city, the fans, and the crest on his jersey. He has to get offloaded THIS season before the trade window closes. An absolute fraud.

[@Dylandontplay]

I HAVE SAID IT FOR YEARS HE DOESNT WANT TO BE A CANUCK!!!

[@glenrichardson8266]

@@Dylandontplay Would you want to be if the fans of the team you play for want you gone and just whine about EVERYTHING?

[@derekjsoutar]

Youre an idiot

[@Xyy2387]

@glenrichardson8266 This isn't intramural floor hockey Glen. It's pro sports. And these multimilionaires aren't just getting paid an above average salary. This particular employee is paid the sum of 57 surgeons. He has one job. If you or any normie shit the bed this hard for over half the work year, you would be shit canned so fast your head would spin. Demand more. He's being paid to be excellent on a consistent basis.

[@glenrichardson8266]

@@Xyy2387 Are you being paid to whine about it though?

[@nelloismello]

Get rid of all the Benning players except for JT Miller and Boeser.

[@scottelement]

Quinn Hughes?

[@timodonnell8943]

your crying about Petey what about the rest they arent doin shit either

[@canada1966]

Trade him please

[@virtualrealitychannel2276]

Ever since Aquilini staged that obviously fake photo op at the coffee shop I've wondered if Pettersson just hates his boss and doesn't love playing for the guy who writes the cheques. Obviously I'm probably wrong but I know what it's like to hate a boss and it can mess with your head. Even if I'm way off it's not like Pettersson hasn't had slump issues due to mental fatigue many times in the past. He has various issues whereas a guy like Mackinnon bleeds every moment he's not hoisting a cup injured or not.

[@garryschmidt4832]

Peterson has a gameing addiction

[@smarty432]

Huberdeau's heart has been mended after 2 years of the trade of the century. Petey's has a lot of heart but his balls has yet to be mended! May take more than 2 years ladies and gentlemen!

[@michaeldove7997]

Louis Eriksson?

[@wati8995]

Maybe Petey needs to visit a sports psychologist. MacKinnon swears it made him a better hockey player.

[@bsmith1164]

Could have used the Petterson money to sign the free agents we gave up a ton for and then just let walk.

[@carlosvangrinder3754]

Clearly he is injured and he is one player who can't seem to play injured. He tends to think and that destroys his game. Looks like the world is catching up to me and are now beginning to see i have been correct since about the midpoint in last years season. That is why i predicted he will only score 67 points, about 50% of what he is capable of if healthy. They won't sit him out cuz he has just a nagging injury that will not be helped by sitting him out (so they think). He is a player that needs to address diet and get complete rest for his body or he will be the greatest "bad contract" in Canucks history (again a prediction i made cuz he can't play hurt and he ain't hurt enough for them to sit him out and find out what his health issue is). Nice to see yall coming around to reality like myself.

[@stickbrick8219]

I would have kept Lindholm and traded Pettersen

[@Atraslin]

Like my Dad used to say from the stands at minor hockey. Skate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RascalDJ]

100% mental seems like he overthinks it and he s never "in the zone". He needs to find having fun playing hockey

[@robsamuel1782]

OEL40

[@CineRocco]

EP11.6

[@exsenator1]

To me petterson reached his highest peak last season. He just doesn't have the physicality for the nhl. It seems to me that the hardships of what entails an 82+ games season is something he just can't endure. The talent is there for sure- no question about it - but today's nhl talent alone won't do it

[@huggiesalreadyknow4044]

The day the refs stop giving him power plays for lack of leg strength will be when more people will wake up to him being a huge payroll drain.

[@roundnround365]

Petey and Kuzy played great together so dump Kuzy but sign Sprong. No Zadorov but they sign Desharnais and Forbort. Now they want to put a defensive liability on D with Brannstrom. The Tocchet mind must be ready to burst. Allvin and the Chipmunks are looking like road kill at this early stage.

[@DonaldMcGee-v1x]

Pettersson is just now coming to grips he is gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@scottelement]

Know from experience?

[@ghostrider-be9ek]

nah, normal for swedes

[@Michael-be2yv]

I don’t think the situation is as simple as everyone is thinking. He stated in the season opening media availability that he had to train around his knee tendinitis in the off season. Clearly that impacted his ability to be ready for this season. Now, if he was a 4th liner and had this kind of drop off, he would’ve been sent to the minors and hoped against hope he could build himself back up again. But he makes $11.6 million. The Canucks simply need him to be the 1C because they can’t afford to replace him. His injury is one that is ‘easy’ to play through, so either him or the doctors or management have been pushing him to play. Personally, I’d prefer he just rest it but perhaps in hockey sitting for knee pain would be considered too soft. Whatever the case, of course he’s been frustrating, but great players can underwhelm for a season or seasons and still come out the other side. Trading him now would be dumb as bricks. I guess if Aqua man wants to pony up you could think about buying him out, but don’t expect his replacement to be any better. 1Cs simply don’t move teams (unless you’re as dumb as Buffalos management… thankfully we aren’t)

[@elvisguitar5394]

Petterson is hurt lol....His emotional well being lol

[@chadpyett6441]

Yeah well you over paid him another benning move and not getting anything in return. He's gonna have to suck it up buttercup he's got a magnifying glass on him now maybe move him down to the fourth line

[@ghostrider-be9ek]

standard soft swede - at least the sedin sisters bulked up and adjusted - this kid wont and will end up washed out

[@bradtilitzky7146]

either situation is definitely possible, both are terrible for the canucks

[@philmickful]

EP wallet is to heavy and can;t move fast enough THE KIDS A WHIMP HAVE YOU SEEN HIM IN STREET CLOTHS? YES HE COULD BE HURT THEN GO TO REHAB SIT OUT

[@ryandenton190]

I'll tell you what's wrong with him... he's soft! But he also skates too upright and holds his bottom hand too high on the stick... this is why he's not strong on the puck. Hoglander playing on his line is the only thing that's made him look like anything less than a totem pole out there over the last year

[@patrickbateman8952]

Tendonitis lol.

[@whatsinthebox9732]

Nice to finally see people realizing what i’ve always known Petey was. An overrated, mentally weak, no killer instinct, bambi skating “allstar”.

[@zebrazulutd]

He's a girl . You don't sign him the fan base snaps and goes nuts . You sign him the fan base hate you for bad decision . Canucks do not make the playoffs . Ugly season coming .

[@danbeaudreau499]

The whole what's wrong with pettersson thing is such a joke. He's over a point per game player. Always produces, every season. D and D are becoming a joke for continuing to harping on this.

[@AppleiPhone17]

"He's hurt" he had 4 months off....

[@douggarden]

Pettersson makes more than Kucherov...think about how ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS that is....and he's not hurt...he's stuck in his little child head. When Petey started out...it wasn't about the money...he was having fun and playing the game he loved....these HUGE contracts are toxic for mentally underdeveloped kids with talent

[@pdizzle612]

Tampa is a no income tax state dummy

[@douggarden]

@@pdizzle612 i'm talking contract size you f'in idiot

[@ThatBigCactus]

He's just a horrible skater that always compensated for it with elite puck skill. Now that he's in a psychological slump with puck-decision making, he has no skating to fall back on, and it's exposing just how far from an NHL level skater he is. I've never seen a worse skater in the league. How could a local hockey segment be asking if they've worked with him "SO HE DOESNT FALL DOWN"...?? About an 11.6M NHL player. Unbelievable.

[@douggarden]

@@pdizzle612 are you serious??? i'm talking about contract size you f'in idiot...go be a TROLL somewhere else you miserable POS

[@1q3er5]

wow lol that us amazing...we're screwed