Jake DeBrusk sees your criticism of Elias Pettersson online.
“People are on social media and I see a good amount,” said DeBrusk after Tuesday’s practice. “They can have their opinions but I don’t think anybody cares more than Petey.”
"This league humbles anybody"
It’s been a difficult season for Pettersson, to say the least. In the first year of his eight-year contract that carries an $11.6 million cap hit, Pettersson’s production has fallen off a cliff. He has just 11 goals and 35 points in 54 games; at this rate, he’ll be lucky to get even half as many points as he did two years ago, when he led the Canucks with 102 points in 80 games.
DeBrusk can relate to Pettersson’s struggles, though he was quick to say that he’s not at Pettersson’s level.
“This league humbles anybody,” said DeBrusk. “I went through a situation in the COVID year where I scored five goals in 41 games. I learned how to get out of it and it’s how you learn as a pro. You’ve just got to work through it and that’s something Petey’s always done since I’ve been here: he always works his ass off in practice.”
Pettersson’s work ethic is what keeps DeBrusk trusting that his teammate can turn things around, even if he wasn’t here before to see Pettersson at his best.
“As a teammate, I believe in him,” said DeBrusk. “I haven’t seen the other side yet of what he expects, what people expect, but I’ve seen him working to get there.”
DeBrusk signed a seven-year contract with the Canucks this past offseason — a long-term commitment from the Canucks but also from DeBrusk, who now has a vested interest in Pettersson turning his game around and excelling.
“Honestly, that’s probably the biggest reason I came here was to play with him or play on the same team as him,” said DeBrusk. “So, I’m his number one believer.”
"I wish I was perfect"
As Robert Frost once said, the best way out is always through. Pettersson knows that the only thing he can do is work through his struggles and try to come out the other side.
“I’m not perfect — I wish I was perfect — so I’m just trying to grow every day and be a better player,” said Pettersson, adding, “I want to turn it around more than anyone.”
On Tuesday, Pettersson acknowledged that he hasn’t played up to snuff and apologized for a comment about the media that was taken out of context to mean he was blaming the media for his poor play.
“I missed a breakaway, and I got asked about it and how frustrating the season has been,” said Pettersson. “I guess I was really, really mad at that moment and I said something I didn't mean. I said media's annoying — some days it can be — but it's the last thing that's making me play bad or not myself this year.”
Now, Pettersson is trying to focus on what he can do to close out the season.
“I mean, I’ll just be honest: I haven’t been the way I want to be this year,” he said. “I haven’t played to the expectations I have on myself or the franchise has on me, I’ll be the first one to tell you. But that’s in the past. I just want to take these last 22 games — plus more, hopefully — and play my best hockey.
“I wish we had more wins, I wish I had played a lot better, but I can’t dwell on that anymore. Just trying to look ahead.”
That’s what head coach Rick Tocchet is hoping for as the Canucks go into the stretch run towards the playoffs: leave the past behind.
“The way I look at it, if he has a good 22 games for us, we might all forget about the 60 games this year,” said Tocchet. “I've seen players have just average years and then have great playoffs, and that guy that has a great playoff…he reaps rewards because of that.
“So, don't waste games. He's got enough time to turn this thing around and help this team get where they want to get.”
“I don’t think there’s anybody that’s harder on himself than him.”
Where they want to get, of course, is not just in the playoffs but going on a deep run. As much as the Canucks have struggled this season, they’re still right on the edge of the playoffs in the Western Conference, tied with the Calgary Flames at 65 points for the final Wild Card spot.
It’s surprising that the Canucks are even in the playoff picture given how tumultuous the season has been both on and off the ice. DeBrusk acknowledged that the season has been difficult mentally.
“It’s been a lot this year for everybody,” said DeBrusk. “Obviously, we’re all human and I don’t think there’s anybody that’s harder on himself than [Pettersson].”
DeBrusk gave Pettersson credit for still playing committed defence as he struggles offensively, particularly how he’s in the top ten among NHL forwards in blocked shots, though he said he would prefer if they were making the other team block more shots.
“It’s not like he’s floating around out there and expecting something to happen, which, I will admit, I probably was doing when I was going through my own stretch,” said DeBrusk. “He’s battling. I think his wingers — including, well, me — could do a better job of blocking shots so they don’t get to him. So, thanks Petey!”
Tocchet agreed that making the other team block a few more shots wouldn’t hurt. At least, it wouldn’t hurt the Canucks.
“You might have a stick in front of you and maybe one shin pad — shoot it by it. Like, who cares?” said Tocchet. “Nobody's going to give you the whole lane. Just shoot the puck and, you know what, he's got a hard shot. I hate to say it: hurt somebody.
“The guy wants to block, it's going to hurt. And then maybe the next time, the guy won't block it. That's the attitude you have to have.”
Pettersson, who had zero shots on goal against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, knows he needs to fire more pucks on net.
“I’ve always been a pass-first guy but I also have a good shot, so I should use it more, yes,” said Pettersson. “But it’s definitely been maybe just not trusting it — hopefully, that’s not a headline. I’ll definitely look to shoot more moving forward.”
Saying it is one thing; doing it is another. Pettersson has a chance to redefine his 2024-25 season in this final stretch but he could just as easily reaffirm all of the opinions of his detractors online.
“Hopefully, he comes out of it for us,” said Tocchet. “He’s a great kid.”
