The Vancouver Canucks have been one of the NHL's most underwhelming teams for a few years now, and it appears they could be on the verge of losing one of their only bright spots.
A clear message
Elias Pettersson has been rumoured to be on the way out of Vancouver, but given that he's still locked in for one more year with RFA status coming next summer, there's time for them to convince him to stay.
Now, according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, there's one thing, and one thing only that would make the top line center stay, and that's team success.
How much of Elias Pettersson re-signing depends on team success?
"A lot of it, almost all of it..."
-
A star on the rise
The 2022-23 season was the best in Pettersson's career as he tallied 39 goals and 102 points with little help around him, but unsurprisingly, the 24-year old remains focused on team success.
With some talent around him like Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko and J.T. Miller, there's certainly a chance that Vancouver can make some noise in the Pacific Division in 2023-24, and if not, it appears their biggest star could be on the way out at the first opportunity.
Will Pettersson sign a long-term deal in Vancouver?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Mark Recchi fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets: future unknown
