Agent Provides Update On Elias Pettersson Contract Talks

The Vancouver Canucks are facing a very important summer with their most important player. All sorts of import around Elias Pettersson this offseason. Contract talks haven't really ramped up, and it sounds like they won't be for a while.  

He's currently on a $7.3M cap hit as his three-year deal is set to expire after the coming season, at which time he could become a restricted free agent. But after a 100-point campaign, Pettersson and his camp could certainly be looking at a new deal with an AAV that hits the $10M+ mark. 

J.B Barry on Elias Pettersson contract talks : We had initial talks, slow of late, we will pick up later in the summer. Elias is happy in Vancouver and likes the city, we will continue to talk.

Hear the entire J.B Barry interview on @DonnieandDhali and You Tube

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 5, 2023

His agent, JP Barry told Canucks Insider Rick Dhaliwal that talks have slowed recently after some initial discussions, but that they will pick it up again later in the summer — probably not until September, however. After the craziness of the first few days of free agency, Barry said the Pettersson talks are not on the front-burner at the moment, and he "isn't anticipating opening discussions on a deal with Patrik Allvin and the Canucks until much closer to the start of the hockey season."

But for now, it doesn't seem like there are any problems that would prevent a deal from getting done. Barry insisted that Pettersson is happy in Vancouver and would like to work out a long-term deal. 

He was asked if the 24-year-old was tired of the losing, missing the playoffs once again for the 4th time in his five seasons with the Canucks. Barry said no, that's not an issue, while emphasizing that of course Pettersson wants to see progress.

"He wants to win," said Barry. "He likes the group that he's with and hopefully they can improve upon it. There are pieces there. He likes the city. There are a lot of things we'll have to discuss when we get into talking about an extension."

In fact, according to Dhaliwal, Barry gave "no sense whatsoever" that Pettersson might want out of Vancouver, or Canada. So chin up, Canucks fans. For now. 

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports