The Vancouver Canucks have addressed one of their biggest offseason priorities. Restricted free-agent forward Elias Pettersson signs a three year deal worth $22.05 million. He has a salary cap hit of $7.35 million a season. This will keep the Swedish forward under contract with Vancouver until the end of 2024 season.
Signed. Sealed. Delivered.
He's back!Elias Pettersson has re-signed for three years at an average annual value of $7.35 million.
DETAILS | https://t.co/ATDN6yNVX1 pic.twitter.com/nYe5T7fCsS
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 3, 2021
Vancouver Canucks Elias Pettersson Signs Extension
Already a Superstar
Elias Pettersson has made an instant impact with the Vancouver Canucks in just three years. The 22-year-old has been playing at just under a point-per-game pace with 153 points in 165 career games so far. The Swede burst onto the scene his first year, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie with 66 points in 71 games.
Pettersson followed that impressive showing with another 66 points in 68 games in 2019-20 which was second-best on the team. He also led the Canucks in the playoffs, scoring seven goals and 11 assists in 17 postseason games when Vancouver was edged by the Vegas Golden Knights in the quarterfinals. Injuries forced Pettersson to miss nearly half the season in 2020-21 where he scored 21 points in 26 games.
Regardless, Pettersson is one of the most dynamic players in the league in just three seasons. He has a career Corsi rating of 60.5 percent, meaning his team has the puck more often than not when he’s on the ice. A fifth overall selection in 2017, Pettersson leads his draft class in scoring. He is seven points ahead of Nico Hischier despite playing 65 fewer games.
Looking ahead for the Canucks
There’s no doubting that Pettersson will be a key component to any future success the Vancouver Canucks have. He solidifies a solid core which includes Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko. As the top-line centre in Vancouver, Pettersson is not just part of that core but it could be argued that he is the key component. The Canucks really struggled with Pettersson out of the lineup this past year and his injuries were a big reason that they missed the playoffs. The Canucks hope that with Pettersson healthy, they can push for a playoff spot in 2021-22.
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