Insider says Canadian team at risk of losing franchise center
While all of the attention this off-season has been spent on William Nylander and Auston Matthews signing extensions, there has been a prominent and important player on the West Coast that has yet to sign an extension of his own. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver's number one center, has also been eligible to sign an extension since July 1, but it has been eerily quiet on that front. Pettersson has 1-year remaining on his current deal that will see him earn $7.35M for the upcoming season and will be an RFA with arbitration rights at the end of the deal.
According to Elliotte Friedman, who was on SN650 on Monday, Pettersson is in no rush to sign an extension and is basing his decision on the success of the Canucks.
"A lot of it, almost all of it..." said Friedman, regarding how much the Canucks' success will determine if Pettersson signs a long-term extension with the club. Pettersson does not have as much leverage as Matthews and Nylander heading to the free agent market next off-season, but if he is not pleased with the success of the Canucks this season, he could position himself the way Pierre-Luc Dubois did, signing his qualifying offers and saying he won't be staying long-term. The move forced the Jets to deal Dubois to LA, where he signed a long-term deal, and we could see Pettersson follow suit if the Canucks can't push for the playoffs.
Pettersson is coming off of what might be the quietest 100+ point season in recent memory. He played in 80 games, putting up 39 goals and 102 points in 2022-23. The Canucks had a handful of key injuries last season and are looking to rebound, but have not done much in terms of reshaping their roster this off-season.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 29 | 130 ANSWERS Insider says Canadian team at risk of losing franchise center Will the Canucks make the playoffs in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 32.3 % |
| No | 88 | 67.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
