Canucks’ Elias Pettersson on His Evolving Two-Way Game
Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson spoke about finding the right balance between his defensive duties and offensive expectations, reflecting on how his game continues to develop on both ends of the ice.
Entering the 2025–26 season, Pettersson faced questions after a challenging previous year in which he recorded just 45 points. While team captain Quinn Hughes expressed confidence in his ability to rebound, the early part of the season has been uneven as injuries and inconsistency affected the lineup.
The 26-year-old Swedish forward has shown moments of his brilliant playmaking, but the Canucks’ 7–8–0 record highlights a team still adjusting to changes. With several key players out, including goaltender Thatcher Demko, Pettersson has taken on heavier top-line minutes and more defensive shifts.
Through 15 games, Pettersson has three goals and ten points, yet his progress as a two-way player has drawn praise from head coach Adam Foote. Notably, he has begun nearly as many shifts in the defensive zone as in the offensive, and his 31 blocked shots demonstrate his commitment to team defense.
“I was a soccer goalie at a young age, so I still have those instincts,” he said, according to Sportsnet.
Pettersson credited his strengthened defensive instincts partly to his early experience in soccer and noted that his improved physical strength from offseason training has helped him win important puck battles—such as the one that led to Brock Boeser’s overtime winner in Nashville.
Author’s Summary
Elias Pettersson is redefining his game, evolving into a more reliable two-way center as the Canucks navigate an uneven season marked by injuries and transitions.