At first glance, it seems like a small thing: an online tour of the Vancouver Canucks, featuring key players – but not especially Elias Pettersson. Recent Facebook ads and season ticket website videos completely ignore the team’s highest paid players, except for the fan logo with his phone number. In the NHL circle, the omissions did not attract attention. As Daily ConfrontationFrank Seravalli shared Halford and Broughtthe cooling is a topic of conversations between the front offices of the league.
One general manager even asked Seravalli directly: “You know why Canucks left Pettersson, their highest-paid player.” This question fell into the heart of a bigger problem: What exactly happened to Vancouver’s Pettersson?
Paterson isn’t the only name in Canucks’ latest marketing push – which might just as well indicate. Pettersson’s absence attracted attention, but so was another key figure: Thatcher Demko. Despite being the undisputed first goalkeeper, Demko is nowhere to be seen, and the new backup Kevin Lankinen looks great.
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Is this a sign that both players are being quietly shopping? possible. Or, this reflects the internal frustration of players the organization considers to be qualified or difficult – a cultural reset. Either way, it is surprising that the two teams’ most well-known stars are no longer reliable for selling tickets.
For whatever reason, I wonder if this isn’t another mess, and the organization’s leadership team stumbled upon this. For thought, the photo above almost represents the perfect meme for Canucks’ 2024-25 season. About every second season, something happens may be different, and it is wiser. Is this another era?
Add people’s neglect, speak in a lot
Pettersson’s absence from the team marketing graphics does not mean that the deal is coming, but it does show that something isn’t exactly right between players and organizations. Whether the decision was intentional or PR supervision sparked a lot of speculation. Either way, it seems to be a problem.
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Petterson was supposed to be the Canucks franchise center after signing a massive extension earlier this year. But his face-to-face performance in four countries is just adding fuel to the growing narrative in the eyes of the global hockey community. He looked uncomfortable, had no domination, and did not meet expectations.
The former office noticed the situation in Vancouver
Behind the scenes, league insiders like Seravalli believe that Canucks’ office decision (including graphics) is feeding the entire league-wide curiosity. The general manager is watching, and fans of the Buffalo Saber and Philadelphia Flyers are starting to openly hope their team will run in Pettersson. Now, former Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet is linked to the flyer, and his potential interest (or impossible) at Pettersson will talk about the situation of the Swedish striker’s game.
Can that fan energy in Vancouver arouse GMS’s actual interest? Seravalli thinks this is possible.
“This time of year is when the front desk has time to get creative,” he said. “Starting in April, when a team’s season ended early, executives came up with ideas on the wall. They held a think tank meeting – literally sitting on the couch with a whiteboard, writing 50 names, and asking, ‘If?’
Related: The Karnak goalkeeper’s future depends on Demko decision
According to Seravalli, that’s how much trade ideas (even far-fetched) begin to form. And, when players like Pettersson get involved, it doesn’t take much to start turning the wheels.
“Fix him” mentality
The narrative around Pettersson now reflects what we have seen many times in hockey: The change in landscapes can unlock the idea of struggling stars. Several teams reportedly thought they might be the ones who “fixed” Petterson, which could get him out of a high-pressure market like Vancouver and put him in a quieter city with supportive teammates, better health and tailor-made training staff.
It’s a classic hockey belief: talented players not only forget how to play. Sometimes, they need the right situation. For teams willing to take risks, Paterson represents an interesting advanced gambling. He is still very young. He is in a contract state and if he rebounds, he is a steal.
What’s next for Paterson and the Canucks?
Of course, all of this is speculative, but in the NHL, people usually become reality. The Canucks aren’t Petterson shopping publicly, but the noise is louder than ever. Getting your franchisee out of marketing works, especially products you just signed up for a long-term deal, will send a message – intentionally or without intention.
Related: NHL Rumor: King, Add People, Stars, Maple Leaf
Whether Vancouver is quietly thinking about changes or just using their stars to manage the rock state, we may hear more in the coming weeks. Drafts and free agents are fast. Pettersson may still be Canuck in Fall – but don’t be surprised if more teams start taking calls.
After all, GM is also a fan and they have noticed something. What they do with this information is an offseason story.
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