Pettersson owns up to slow start: 'I've got to be better'

Elias Pettersson's 2025-26 revenge tour isn't exactly off to a hot start.

In the offseason, the Vancouver Canucks star said he was determined to bounce back from a tumultuous year, but so far, he's managed a single assist and three shots on goal through three games.

"I want three shots a game or even more," Petterson told reporters Wednesday. "But maybe that's a reflection that we've got to create more. I've got to be better."

Pettersson's underlying numbers, albeit in a small sample size, suggest a breakthrough could be coming. The Canucks have controlled 68.26% of expected goals and 59.26% of scoring chances with Pettersson on the ice at five-on-five this season, according to Natural Stat Trick.

However, pressure is mounting on Pettersson to start converting his opportunities after back-to-back losses. Vancouver's highest-paid player is coming off his worst season, having recorded 15 goals and 30 assists in 64 games in 2024-25. Friction between Pettersson and former teammate J.T. Miller resulted in the latter being traded to the New York Rangers.

Pettersson is in the second season of an eight-year, $92.8-million contract inked in 2024. He'd established himself as one of the league's top offensive threats when he signed, managing 170 points in 160 games from 2021-22 to 2023-24.