Vancouver Canucks Messageboard

Ok - we're 11 games into the season, the kid has new contract and it should all be good, right? It's obvious he has the talent, that's not the question - so 'something' seems to be amiss with his play and effort. So what's the deal?

Although Pettersson has more raw talent than either Sedin, it might be worth noting that the Sedins took a while to develop. They had 4 years of growth, then a year in Sweden for the lockout and came back as (pretty much) PPG players. EP40 started out a PPG player and has regressed to about 1/2 that (last season and this).

He's playing more, he's shooting more - but he seems less involved. WTF is going on?

Injury? Mental? Still playing into game shape? Maybe there is no problem and we're over-reacting to a slow start?

I figured this is a big enough topic for its own thread, and I'm curious what thoughts are out there.

11 games
1 goal (on the PP)
4 assists
5 points (3 on the PP)
3.2% shot percentage (career avg: 16.5)
28.99% faceoff percentage (career avg: 40.8)
20:59 avg TOI (career avg: 18:34)

All I've seen is highlights of solid and sometimes dazzling play in previous years and some shitty shifts in one and a bit games in 2021 so I'm not going to vote.

I will say this though.

The Sedins had to, and did, fight through more thuggery than it appears EP has to in the current rendition of the NHL.

He does seem a bit weak on the puck and easily pushed aside (or down).

Currently I wouldn't have an opinion on why that is due to the aforementioned lack of background intel.

Is he strong enough (physically and mentally) to succeed in this league?

Who said this is what we have now?

5 bucks on Reef!!

It’s called missing the last 30 games of last season due to a nagging injury, and missing a good portion of training camp

Settle the fuck down everyone

I see someone who isn't in shape both physically and mentally.. He isn't a great skater to start with but he can usually get to loose pucks or cause center ice turnovers with quickness and I'm not seeing any of that. His conditioning must be off and its affecting his anticipation of plays as well.

Otherwise the wrist must still be weak and he can't let shots go as quick yet.

My money is on weak wrist and shitty conditioning

Chef Boi RD wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:16 am Settle the fuck down everyone

Lol, ah Dude, it's just a topical conversation about the Canucks which is what this GDHTMB is for right?

Not sure "everyone" really needs to "settle down".

Surely discussing the situation regarding what should be one of our elite players is as interesting and intriguing to many here as you and Blob debating LA King draft picks ad nauseum.

You are getting a bit cantankerous in your old age eh?

Pettersson hasn't seemed committed to the game since coming back. Even at half tilt, he's creative and should be able to find ways to make things happen but he really hasn't been. In that regard, I've been disappointed in his effort level. At some point I'm hoping a level of urgency kicks in and it supersedes the humdrums he seems to be in right now.
He aint the only one though! It would do this team a world of good if the extraterrestrial Petey powers showed up. A couple or three others are notably slumping just as bad.

Chef Boi RD wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:16 am It’s called missing the last 30 games of last season due to a nagging injury, and missing a good portion of training camp

Settle the fuck down everyone

That’s rich coming from you.

He is just not into it right now, his brain is till back in Sweden.

I wouldn't be concerned if we had seen some 'flashes' of his brilliance and talent in these games, but he just looks flat. Hoglander (among others) isn't lighting it up, but we'll see the odd play that shows hope for more. I'm just not seeing this with Petey.

It seems more mental than physical to me (just a guess).

I'd love to watch a game live and see how looks away from the play, on the bench, etc - so see if he's "into it", or just going through the motions.

I'm also guessing that this recent break was the longest he's been away from competitive hockey since he first laced up the skates. It might also be the first real challenge he's faced as a player. The pressure won't be letting up on him until he start showing something, so if it's mental - this could take a while.

I think you have to give the guy a bit of leeway. He's still a young guy and he's just going through a bad stretch.

Chef Boi RD wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:16 am It’s called missing the last 30 games of last season due to a nagging injury, and missing a good portion of training camp

Settle the fuck down everyone

Eggsactamundo my North Shore mafioso…you can tell his confidence and strength is not there yet. It will get stronger….like the force…in me…

Arachnid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:32 am…you can tell his confidence and strength is not there yet. It will get stronger….

His quickness has regressed and that can only be he let his off season training fall behind. Maybe all the duck faced photograms or whatever they are should be dropped and a more concerted effort placed into getting stronger/faster/better.

I predict he has a poor season but next year comes back ready to roll

BCExpat wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:18 am I think you have to give the guy a bit of leeway. He's still a young guy and he's just going through a bad stretch.

Easy for a guy to say who is living in the midst of a sky high euphoria while following a team that apparently can not lose and rarely gets scored on.

Everything is just peachy kean positive in the Expat world these days.

Your freaking car is probably washing itself these days as well.

donlever wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:15 am

Who said this is what we have now?

5 bucks on Reef!!

Reef is among almost 40% of people who feel the same way

2Fingers wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:05 am
He is just not into it right now, his brain is till back in Sweden.

Top shelf commentary from Hibiki

Cousin Strawberry wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:36 am

Arachnid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:32 am…you can tell his confidence and strength is not there yet. It will get stronger….

His quickness has regressed and that can only be he let his off season training fall behind. Maybe all the duck faced photograms or whatever they are should be dropped and a more concerted effort placed into getting stronger/faster/better.

I predict he has a poor season but next year comes back ready to roll

He was more concerned about his “brand” than playing hockey, now he’s realizing he fucked up last year not staying in game shape when injured.