Insider: Canucks Getting Calls On Elias Pettersson

Even though the Vancouver Canucks are trying to downplay it, the drama surrounding Elias Pettersson's future has consumed Canucks fans and followers of the team all season long. The pending restricted free agent has continually put off extension talks, wanting to wait until the end of the season. And president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have said—at least outwardly—that they're fine with that. 

But now, according to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, rival teams have started sniffing around. It appears that the lack of activity around a new contract has raised suspicions around the league. 

I just think that every day this goes where Pettersson doesn't commit, other teams are not doing their jobs if they don't call and say 'what's going on here?' And the fact that there's no clarity leads (to this). I do believe other teams are calling and asking 'what's going on...and where's this going?'

As for the Canucks, they have simply responded to those inquiries by saying that what's going on is that they're trying to sign him. And as for these Pettersson questions still surrounding the team and making the rumor rounds, Friedman says "I don't think they're thrilled that (a) he's not signed and (b) this is still news," but he does feel that if anyone is capable of handling the pressure, it's Rutherford and head coach Rick Tocchet. "They've seen everything. And I think they are capable of handling the noise as well as anybody could."

Being a restricted free agent, the Canucks do have control on Pettersson's future after the season, and the two sides have at least broached the subject of an extension. 

"I don't know if there's actually been an actual offer here," added Friedman, "but I do believe that he knows that they're gonna throw a ton of money at him and they've discussed it conceptually."

Pettersson is on pace for his second consecutive 100-point season, with 29 goals and 74 points in 60 games along with a +14 plus/minus rating. 

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