NHL analyst rips into $92,800,000 Canucks star Elias Pettersson

NHL analyst Bryan Hayes recently shared a critical take on Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson. Pettersson, who signed an eight-year, $92.8 million contract in March 2024, has had a slow start this season.

Speaking on SC with Jay Onrait, Hayes said that, despite the Canucks’ strong start, Pettersson hasn’t made much impact.

"It feels like Elias Pettersson hadn't played this season." Hayes said. "He's dressing and he's playing but he's doing nothing.

Hayes added that Pettersson and goalie Thatcher Demko have not contributed at their usual levels.

"He (and Demko) are bringing nothing to the table, but the Canucks are off to a red hot start." Hayes said.

Hayes also expressed confusion, given Pettersson’s past strong performances. He scored 102 points in the 2022-23 season and 89 points in the 2023-24 season. Hayes hopes Pettersson can find his game soon.

"If EP can finally snap out of it, it is one of the most curious cases I can recall - How this guy got paid what he did, how he's done what he's done in the past, and how he looks like he's completely forgotten to play. Once he remembers how to play, he'll be a rockstar again."

Elias Pettersson recently ended a three-game point drought, scoring in a 5-1 win over the Ducks. However, his stats are still modest: five points, a minus-1 rating, and 21 shots through 11 games. Despite the slow start, he remains in a top-six role.

Elias Pettersson and Vancouver secured their second consecutive win

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 at Honda Center for their second straight win. Quinn Hughes had three assists in the game, including his 300th NHL assist.

The Ducks scored first with a power-play goal by Olen Zellweger at 5:35 in the first period. The Canucks answered when Brock Boeser tipped in a shot from Hughes on a power play at 16:22 to tie the game 1-1. Just 58 seconds later, Kiefer Sherwood scored from a pass by Erik Brannstrom, giving Vancouver a 2-1 lead.

Coach Rick Tocchet praised the team’s style, saying:

"We played a north-south game. I thought there were parts of the second we weren't holding onto pucks, but when we were I thought it really helped our game."

Early in the second period, Elias Pettersson tipped in another Hughes shot to make it 3-1. Jake DeBrusk extended the lead to 4-1 in the third with a slap shot, giving Hughes his 300th assist. Danton Heinen scored in close with 1:42 left, finishing the game at 5-1.