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Rick Tocchet and Craig Button Take Shots at the Struggling Elias Pettersson
Elias Pettersson is having one of the worst seasons of his career, and Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, as well as NHL insider Craig Button, have put him on blast.
The Vancouver Canucks have experienced a lot of problems this season, and even after J.T. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers, the spotlight remains on Elias Pettersson and his troubles.
Following Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Utah HC, head coach Rick Tocchet wasn't sugarcoating anything about Pettersson's performance with 'Sportsnet'.
"We've talked about he has to move his feet, and can't double clutch (with the puck)," Canucks coach Rick Tocchet told Sportsnet Sunday night after his main press scrum had ended. "I think he's waiting for something. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence in his shot, but as soon as he has room, he's got to take it and . . . just got to blast it. I'd rather him just rip a puck right now. He's not moving his feet. I thought today, some shifts he was moving his feet and it looked like we had some glimpses. But six-on-five there at the end, it's the same thing, waiting. If he just takes three or four strides. I don't know if it's a mental block right now, all year, but he's got to move his feet."
Craig Button believes the Canucks can't win because of Pettersson
NHL insider Craig Button had some thoughts as well, speculating that Pettersson is one of the reasons the Canucks can't win.
"Elias Pettersson is holding the Canucks back."
- Craig Button
- Craig Button
Pettersson, 26, has an $11.6 million AAV contract until 2031-32 but is not eligible for his no-trade clause to kick in until this offseason.
With just 35 points in 51 games, he has fallen far short of his salary, and there are rumors that GM Patrik Allvin is open to listening on a trade.
Should Vancouver trade him, clubs like the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Buffalo Sabres have been touted as potential destinations.
Previously on HockeyLatest
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 24 | 510 ANSWERS Rick Tocchet and Craig Button Take Shots at the Struggling Elias Pettersson Is Elias Pettersson holding the Canucks back from winning? | ||
| Yes | 415 | 81.4 % |
| No | 95 | 18.6 % |
| List of polls | ||