VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson is rarely one to spark headlines off the ice, but this week he made sure his voice was heard on two major shake-ups rocking the team — the surprise trade for veteran winger Evander Kane and the long-awaited $50.75 million contract extension for Brock Boeser.
Speaking to reporters after practice at Rogers Arena, Pettersson admitted the locker room has felt a “mix of emotions” over the past few days. “It’s part of the business, but these are still people you play with, battle with, and share moments with,” he said. “When a guy leaves, you feel it. When a guy commits long-term, you celebrate it.”
The Kane trade, which brought the 33-year-old power forward from Edmonton in exchange for a package of draft picks and a depth player, instantly sparked debate among fans. Kane’s on-ice talent is undeniable — a proven scorer with a physical edge — but his controversial history has some in Vancouver cautious. Pettersson chose his words carefully, saying, “I’ve played against him enough to know he’s dangerous with the puck. If he’s all-in with the group, he can help us win games. That’s what matters.”
On the flip side, Pettersson’s face lit up when speaking about Boeser’s seven-year, $50.75 million deal. The two have shared the ice for most of Pettersson’s NHL career, building chemistry both on and off the rink. “Brock’s been here from my first day. He’s a big reason I’ve grown as a player,” Pettersson said. “To know he’s staying, that’s huge for our team and our fans. He’s more than just his scoring — he’s part of the soul of this locker room.”
With the Canucks in the thick of a heated playoff race, Pettersson stressed that the focus now must shift back to hockey. “Trades and contracts are exciting, but at the end of the day, we’ve got games to win,” he said. “The only way these moves mean something is if we make them count.”
Fans will get their first look at Kane in a Canucks jersey later this week, with Pettersson and Boeser ready to welcome him into a team chasing more than headlines — they’re chasing a Stanley Cup dream
Leave a Reply