{"id":300530,"date":"2025-11-22T22:50:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T22:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/300530\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T22:50:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T22:50:07","slug":"hockeys-biggest-podcast-apologizes-for-criticizing-vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/300530\/","title":{"rendered":"Hockey’s biggest podcast apologizes for criticizing Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a slow start to the season, Elias Pettersson is heating up.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Vancouver Canucks\u2019 highest-paid player now has seven goals and 20 points in 22 games this season. That has him all the way up to tied for 39th in league scoring, along with other noteworthy players such as Tage Thompson and Adrian Kempe.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also tied with teammate Quinn Hughes for the Canucks\u2019 scoring lead.<\/p>\n

Pettersson has managed to produce despite shouldering a heavy workload. The Canucks gaping hole at second-line centre<\/a> has forced the team into using Pettersson in a matchup role<\/p>\n

Still, he\u2019s managed to get on a roll offensively in November, registering 12 points in 10 games.<\/p>\n

That prompted the most popular hockey podcast to apologize for its criticism of him.<\/p>\n

On the latest episode of Spittin\u2019 Chiclets,<\/a> host Ryan Whitney offered an apology for Pettersson after constant criticism of him since signing his eight-year extension back in March 2024.<\/p>\n

New year. New Pettersson.<\/p>\n

But will we ever see him reach the \ud83d\udcaf point mark again? pic.twitter.com\/1BV1KyLpfj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI owe an apology, probably, to Elias Pettersson,\u201d Whitney said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s leading the league in blocked shots for forwards,\u201d he continued. \u201cHe\u2019s lighting it up the past few games offensively. He\u2019s looked really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pettersson has blocked 45 shots this season, which is the most among NHL forwards and 15th overall in the NHL. He\u2019s the only forward in the top 50 in terms of blocked shots, and there are only four other forwards in the top 100.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe kind of wrote him off a little bit, and never getting that 100-point Pettersson player back,\u201d Whitney said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, he\u2019s looked awesome. So, as a podcast who\u2019s given him a hard time, I think we should at least speak up and say it right now, it\u2019s been impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pettersson\u2019s care level has been evident this season, whether it\u2019s been because of blocks or hits.<\/p>\n

But the offensive production and the fact that he\u2019s shooting the puck more hint at a player who may finally be returning to form.<\/p>\n

\u201cI repeatedly said, there was little to no dog in him,\u201d co-host Paul Bissonnette said. \u201cIt seemed like his life was miserable, even after signing that big ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat his game is saying now is he can be a point-per-game player and get it done at both ends of the ice and live up to that money that he\u2019s making.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a small adjustment, but the addition of David K\u00e4mpf has helped alleviate some of Pettersson\u2019s defensive zone responsibilities in two games since he arrived.<\/p>\n

\u201cI noticed a little difference,\u201d Pettersson said on Thursday after a loss to the Dallas Stars.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Footy, I have all my beliefs in him and what he sees. I\u2019m always ready whenever he calls me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bounce-back for Pettersson has been a sight for the sore eyes of Canucks fans, but it will need to continue if they\u2019re going to climb up the standings from where they currently sit at 28th overall.<\/p>\n