Predictably, Elias Pettersson wasn\u2019t in a good mood speaking to the media on Monday morning.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old Vancouver Canucks centre was benched during the third period of Saturday\u2019s game in Seattle. He was questioned on that, as well as his name reportedly being brought up in trade talks ahead of Friday\u2019s trade deadline.<\/p>\n
His answers were as short as the Canucks\u2019 success on the ice this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust trying to play my best hockey every game,\u201d Pettersson said in response to one question.<\/p>\n
Does he feel like he\u2019s done that?<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
What does he need to do?<\/p>\n
\u201cPlay better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, then.<\/p>\n
When asked about trade discussions and rumours mentioning his name, he put it back on the media.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s you guys that make the trade rumours. So, ask yourself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In fact, the latest Pettersson trade rumour<\/a> was not \u201cmade up\u201d by anyone in the room. It came from a report out of Ottawa, from Bruce Garrioch, a well-respected veteran beat writer.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always noise. I don\u2019t read or listen to any of it. So it\u2019s nothing new.\u201d<\/p>\n Forward Elias Pettersson speaks with the media ahead of tonight’s game against Dallas.#Canucks<\/a> | @theprovince<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/I6PCIYbQ5p<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Monday is the two-year anniversary of Pettersson signing a $92.8-million contract<\/a>. Things have deteriorated to a truly unbelievable level since then.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t lived up to expectations of the contract, and I\u2019ll be the first one to say it,\u201d Pettersson admitted. \u201cObviously, I wish it would be different \u2014 play better, a lot more points \u2014 but it is what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Far and away the worst team in the NHL this season, the Canucks now have a 10-point cushion on last place. Pettersson is the team\u2019s leading scorer, but with only 35 points. Every other team\u2019s leading scorer has more points than him.<\/p>\n So, needless to say, it\u2019s been a frustrating season for everyone involved.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sucks losing. We\u2019re last in the league. It\u2019s a terrible feeling, but I\u2019m just trying to play good game tonight, but we\u2019ll take it from there.\u201d<\/p>\n Pettersson, to his credit, has remained committed defensively.<\/p>\n But offensively, he\u2019s a shadow of his former self.<\/p>\n In 51 games this season, Pettersson has registered just one shot or fewer in over half (27) of them. He doesn\u2019t have a single shot on net in each of his last two games, and six of his last 12.<\/p>\n Canucks head coach Adam Foote kept his critiques light when asked about the decision to bench his highest-paid player on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got to be better,\u201d Foote said. \u201cHe\u2019s gotta play with more zip. Put more pace to his game. More engaged. Good things will happen when he gets his motor going.\u201d<\/p>\n Pettersson said Monday that he respected the decision.<\/p>\n \u201cHe saw what was best for the team, to try to win the game, and I respect his decision. I need to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n You might also like:Tyler Myers situation could get awkward for Vancouver Canucks this week<\/a>
\n