When the Vancouver Canucks sign superstar Elias Pettersson, it’s with one intention for all concerned. The Canucks want to win the Stanley Cup, and Pettersson thinks they can. So, they did. Today, the Canucks and their star put pen to paper on an eight-year extension. That extension is worth an average annual value of $11.6 million.
Pettersson is a Superstar and Canucks are Lucky to Sign Him
Elias Pettersson was drafted fifth overall in 2017, and the pick wasn’t without controversy. There were a lot of names available with a lot of cachet attached to them. Pettersson was very skilled, obviously, but also whip-thin and maybe not as well-rounded as others. Pre-season rankings placed him anywhere from fifth to 20th, but Vancouver knew who they wanted.
A redraft still wouldn’t have him go first overall, but coming second to Cale Makar isn’t exactly shameful.
Elias Pettersson started his career with a roar, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2018-19. His 28 goals and 66 points earned him 151 first-place votes and he hasn’t slowed down since. The only difficulties he’s had in the NHL have been signing contracts. That was a recurring theme with the previous regime, and Patrik Allvin has been trying to work with the repercussions ever since.
A bonus-loaded entry deal led to cap penalties and hard negotiations for Pettersson’s second contract. That his contract year was limited by injuries certainly didn’t help, either. He finally reached a deal on October 1st, 2021, just two weeks before the season opened. That bridge deal will expire at the end of the 2023-24 season when his new contract takes effect.
He’s certainly lived up to whatever hype the team, the fans, and the media have lavished upon him. Right from the start of this year with his dominant four-point night against the Edmonton Oilers, Pettersson has been ready. And now the Canucks “core four” is pushing for the next steps.
Vancouver Qualifies for Pettersson
Allvin was fond of saying that the team had “two seasons to get a deal done” as Pettersson was a restricted free agent next year. And it would have been “the most Vancouver thing ever if the Canucks sign superstar Pettersson to a qualifying offer.” But that isn’t the entire story behind this deal.
Pettersson openly said that he wanted to see actual progress from the team to become competitive. Not just for the playoffs, but being an actual Cup contender, even if it’s not necessarily this season or next. And it looks like the team knew exactly what was at stake, making plenty of moves in the offseason.
Between the increased depth, new coaches, and completely revamped office staff, they seem to have convinced him. Pettersson himself is a huge part of that, coming out of the blocks with a roar this season. His 13 goals and 43 points by the end of December means he’s on pace to reach triple-digit scoring once again.
Now the team has its strengths locked up in each position for the next three years when Thatcher Demko‘s deal expires. Captain Quinn Hughes needs to negotiate in four years, and J.T. Miller is set for another seven.
For the first time in over a decade, the Vancouver Canucks are built for the future. And it’s coming soon.
Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
