Canucks’ $92.8M Superstar Out for ‘Revenge’ After Lackluster Season

Getty

Canucks' Elias Pettersson is out for revenge.

Vancouver Canucks superstar forward Elias Pettersson is out for revenge this season after his lackluster season.

Pettersson was in the first year of his massive eight-year, $92.8 million extension with the Canucks. The star forward was coming off years of 89 and 102-point seasons and was one of the top players in the NHL.

However, last season, Pettersson had a feud with teammate J.T. Miller and struggled on the ice. He looked like he lacked motivation and wasn’t trying, and was called out for his work ethic.

Pettersson ended up finishing the year with 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points in 64 games. After the lackluster season, the Swede is looking for revenge and proving he’s one of the top players in the NHL.

“I know what I can do. I haven’t actually thought about it, but for my part I want revenge. I’m not happy with the season that was. But it’s done now,” Pettersson said on Sweden’s NHL.com. “There’s no point in dwelling on it. I’m learning from what happened last season to become a better and more mature player for next year.”

Pettersson says he’s healthy and has been training full force this summer as he’s motivated to silence the doubters.

“I have been healthy and have been able to train fully. Right now, I have not had any injuries that have kept me away from training. But it is clear, it was a tough season,” Pettersson added. “But with that said, I am taking the lessons with me. I am just very hungry to have a good season to come.”

If Pettersson can get back to being a 100-point player, it would be good news for the Canucks, who are looking to make the playoffs.

Canucks’ Pettersson Added More Weight in Offseason

After the lackluster season, Pettersson knew he needed to change some things up.

Pettersson used the offseason to add more weight and muscle to be stronger. He knows being stronger on the puck and winning puck battles is key.

“I’ve put on a little (muscle). It’s always about building basic strength that will turn into speed and agility, speed on the ice. Putting on a few pounds, getting stronger in general is always the goal. But for me it’s always a little bonus to put on a few pounds,” Pettersson said.

Pettersson is listed at 6-foot-2, 176 pounds, but come training camp, the weight should look much different for the 26-year-old.

Pettersson Wants to be a Leader for the Canucks

Last season, Pettersson was an issue in the locker room due to his issues with Miller.

However, Vancouver traded Miller, and Pettersson is looking to put all that behind him. Instead, he says he wants to be a better teammate and leader this season.

“It’s great fun to watch. It makes you think back to the journey you took yourself, when you came up in the league and tried to settle in. Everyone is a good player,” Pettersson said. “Everyone has good qualities. I just try to be a good teammate and help with what I see that I can help them with…

“I try to lead by example, but then I know that I can always become better as a leader, in that aspect. I try as best I can, but I try to become better,” Pettersson added.

A big way Pettersson can be a leader is on the ice and giving max effort, and proving that last year was a one-off.