Canucks’ Elias Pettersson on reported team rift: ‘I don’t know why people still try and make s*** up’

If anything is apparent, the Vancouver Canucks are trying to bury any reports of problems in the locker room.

On Saturday night, following the team’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, forward Elias Pettersson was asked about a possible rift between him and fellow star teammate J.T. Miller. Pettersson didn’t take too kindly to the question, giving a firm and poignant answer.

“I don’t know why people still try and make s**t up,” Pettersson said. “Excuse my language, but that’s my response there.”

A follow-up was asked whether the topic had been a distraction, which led to Pettersson becoming visibly more frustrated.

“Oh my god…next question,” he responded.

The reported behind-the-scenes tiff between Pettersson and Miller has been circulating over the past couple of days, with some citing that the talented scorers have been bickering. Head coach Rick Tocchet addressed the issue prior to Saturday’s game, saying that it’s all part of the dynamics of being a team.

“You’re going to have arguments; you’re going to have fights,” Tocchet said. “I’ve been fortunate to be [in] the Stanley Cup [finals] three times, two as a coach, one as a player. There’s always been something that has galvanized a team. Whether people are bickering or complaining, it happens all the time.

“It’s my job to make sure that, you know, guys have a voice and you move on from certain stuff. But you also need to be mature, too. You don’t have to play PlayStation together or go to dinner together, but [if] it’s your turn to go to the net, go to the net. It’s really what it comes down to.”

Miller stepped away from the team for personal reasons for almost a month before returning to the lineup on Dec. 12. Since then, Pettersson has struggled to stay on the scoring track, going pointless over the past six games, while Miller has registered four assists since his return.

Pettersson is still tied for second on the team in scoring with 26 points, while Miller has six goals and 20 points in 23 games.

The Canucks (16-10-7) are fourth in the Pacific Division, eight points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first place. Vancouver holds the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.