Vancouver Canucks' Tocchet Calls Out Elias Pettersson Over Lack of Preparation

It was a disappointing season in Vancouver, especially for Canucks forward Elias Pettersson, who went through hell and back, both on and off the ice. Turns out the drama continues, even with game 82 in the books.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was asked about what he saw out of Pettersson this season and how the Canucks star forward can bounce back next year, and it's clear as day that Vancouver's bench boss doesn't feel Pettersson is doing enough to set himself up for success. "I think he'll tell you this: His preparation has to get better," Tocchet told reporters Friday. "There's no secret. If you want to be a great player, you have to prepare. Almost an obsessive type of preparation. I think he got behind the eight ball early. Then the expectations come, and then there's a little bit of struggle with the team, and he could never gain traction."

"He has to ... move his feet, shoot the puck, change angles. You know me, I'm an honest guy. He's got to practice better. ... Do I think he will do those things? I do, I really do. I think I can bank on him taking this information, going away for four months, and make sure he has a plan. The plan has to change. I'm not sure he can train the same way."

Even after J.T Miller was traded to New York, the struggles continued for Pettersson, so he can't put the blame on their dressing room beef. The team's highest paid player posted just 45 points in 64 games this year, while earning $11.6 million. His trade protection doesn't kick in until July 1, so there's still a good chance the management brass will try to work out a deal before the summer.

"Listen, you guys know that there was some stuff there before even I got here. What level? I don't know," said Tocchet, who was hired by the Canucks in 2023. "I know that they obviously had a really good year the year before. They had really good years. You never think the smoldering is going to turn up. Did it get uncomfortable? Yeah. Could've something been different? I hear people (saying), 'They've got to go to dinner. They've got to fight it out.' You don't think we tried all that stuff? It just didn't work out."

The 26-year-old Pettersson has recorded 457 points in 471 games, which is impressive, however, his most recent experience includes just one goal in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games, followed by his worst season in the league.

Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images