What happened to Elias Pettersson?

Credit: Apr 23, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) reacts after missing a scoring chance against the Nashville Predators during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver Canucks are off to a solid 6-2-3 start to the season, however, have been doing so without consistent production from forward Elias Pettersson.

The 25-year-old Pettersson has once again struggled to find the scoresheet on a regular basis, recording just five points through his first 11 contests. Dating back to the last month of the 2023-24 regular season, through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and including his start this year, the Canucks’ forward has posted four goals in his last 32 games.

Pettersson signed a massive $92.8-million extension this past March, and carries a $11.6-million cap hit through the 2031-32 season. Needless to say, there’s growing concern in Vancouver, as the team looks for ways to get their star forward to once again produce over a point-a-game.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed Pettersson’s start and what seems to be the issue for the Canucks’ forward.

Yaremchuk: Steven Ellis put a piece together for Daily Faceoff, players on big money contracts, who are maybe crumbling under the big pressure that comes with it. He had five names who he put forth. One that we’ve talked about a decent amount is Elias Pettersson out in Vancouver, his struggles date back to last season. The same could even be said for a guy like (Buffalo Sabres) Dylan Cozens, who is obviously on a cheaper deal with less expectations, but has really struggled to start this year. Out of those two players Frank, which fanbase should be the most concerned that their team’s big-money bet maybe isn’t working out?

Seravalli: Pettersson, has to be Pettersson. Look, what happened to this player? I mean, it’s not just numbers, it’s actually way more eye test than numbers. Why does he look so tentative? Why is he disengaged? Why is he giving the puck away for no reason?

This guy was a stone cold killer for like two years in a row, and even burst onto the scene as a rookie and he’s got all the talent in the world, there’s no question about that. Everything that is going on in his game, it seems to reside directly between his two ears. Look, goaltending is highly subjective to the team and structure you have in front of you, and I think with all the different guys who have shuffled through Pettersson’s line, that’s not the problem here. The problem is him.

For more on what’s going on with the Canucks’ star, the Vegas Golden Knights hot start, and the very latest from around the NHL, watch the full episode here.