Elias Pettersson has been struggling mightily since signing his contract extension, and it got worse after an altercation with JT Miller during team practice.
Elias Pettersson signed a massive eight-year, $92.8 million contract extension in the offseason and is now the highest-paid player on the Vancouver Canucks. That comes with heavy expectations, and thus far into the season, a lot of question marks have been raised regarding Pettersson's production.
He's managed a mere three assists in six games this year, which is below average for a player of his caliber, and the real question now is whether he can live up to the high standards set by his new deal.
There seems to be tension, as even Elias Pettersson's frustration boiled over during a recent team practice . A small skirmish with teammate J.T. Miller put into perspective the stress he's under and some could speculate that this is indicative of deeper issues within.
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet was quick to diffuse the scuffle, suggesting it was one of those typical competitive energies that sometimes come out in practice. The tension was acknowledged by Pettersson himself, though he maintained it was productive and part of the game.
Statistically, the bottom line is that Pettersson has struggled not just this season but going back to last year as a whole, recording just 34 points in his last 52 games, including the regular season and playoffs. While those numbers aren't catastrophic, they don't quite fit the performance expected from such a player with his set of skills, especially, after securing such an enormous contract.
Some have even gone as far as to question his motivation, suggesting the big payday may have diminished his drive, though many believe such criticisms are overblown. Some fans have even begun to demand he be traded, and it's not a good look for the highest-paid player on the team.
If the Canucks are to be serious playoff contenders again, a lot will rely on whether or not Elias Pettersson can get back to his pre-injury form. The team has been stuck in mediocrity for a few seasons now, and the demands to improve significantly this year get louder as each game passes. With him being an integral member of their roster, the onus will fall upon him to lead from the front.
A poor run of form of late combined with this practice altercation sees Elias Pettersson firmly under the microscope. If he can use it as fuel in a productive way, there is every reason to feel he can turn his season around. If the Canucks hope to remain playoff contenders, an elevated game from Pettersson will be key, and perhaps this practice incident is just what he needs to kick-start that elite form once more.
