Insider: How Impending Nylander Signing Affects Pettersson’s Case in Vancouver

As talk continues to swirl about the impending massive extension to be signed by William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs (take a breath, no deal is done just yet), many observers of the Vancouver Canucks can only wonder how this news will affect the status of their own star player approaching the end of his current contract.

Elias Pettersson, of course, becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and everyone out in BC is holding their breath as to when he’ll be ready to sign his own extension.

On their podcast on Friday, Donnie and Dhali asked NHL insider Elliotte Friedman how he thinks a Nylander deal, and the number he gets, could impact Pettersson:

If people think that Pettersson is waiting to see how much Nylander gets so that he can make sure he gets more money? I don’t think that has anything to do with it at all. The only thing thing affecting the contract status right now, and the contract talks between the Canucks and Patterson is: when is Pettersson ready? And while the number may be a comparison point, it is completely irrelevant to the reason this hasn’t happened. 

Does it become a comparable? Sure. Are people going to compare numbers? Sure. But the number one thing with the Canucks and Pettersson, is when is Pettersson ready to sit down and talk?

The 25-year-old star has indicated since the beginning of the season but he’s willing to be patient with extension talks, preferring to wait and see how the season shakes out before signing on the dotted line.

After a 102-point breakout season last year with the Canucks, Pettersson is having another fine season with 15 goals and 45 points in 38 games, further cementing himself as a star of the future worthy of a massive long-term deal... yes, somewhere in the range of William Nylander's approaching pact.

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports