Elias Pettersson has experienced a challenging period since signing a significant long-term contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Over the past few years, his performance has declined sharply due to conflicts with teammates and waning confidence, causing his production on the ice to drop considerably. Despite some defensive improvements in the 2025-26 season, he remains far from replicating his exceptional 102-point season in 2022-23.
Although several NHL teams are still interested in acquiring Pettersson, one prominent analyst expressed concerns regarding his ability to return to his former elite status. Craig Button, speaking on the Donnie and Dhali show, drew a parallel between Pettersson’s current state and that of Jonathan Huberdeau, suggesting that Pettersson may never regain his peak level of dominance.
“EP40 will find his game when EP40 decides to find his game, whenever that game is… I’ll be straightforward with you—he might be the Vancouver Canucks’ Jonathan Huberdeau. His best days may be behind him. Huberdeau is never going to get back to 115 points. I don’t think EP40 is ever going to get back to being a dominant center. So you’ve got to accept: can he be a good second-line center? Can he be a 70-point player for us? That’s the reality we have to live with.” – Craig Button, Analyst
Now 27 years old and in the second season of an eight-year, $92.8 million contract, Pettersson’s offensive contributions remain subdued. Over 49 games this season, he has tallied 34 points, including 13 goals and 21 assists, a noticeable drop from his younger days as a top-tier scorer.
Prospects of Revitalization Through a Change of Scenery
The pressing question among NHL observers is whether a new environment beyond Vancouver could reignite Pettersson’s offensive abilities. Given that he is still in the prime years of his career and has not lost his skill set altogether, some believe that a fresh start might provide the opportunity needed to regain his status as a consistent point-per-game player.
Teams like Detroit, Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota, and Utah have emerged as potential destinations. These markets offer less pressure than Vancouver, allowing Pettersson to play alongside other skilled players without being the sole focus. Such conditions may aid in restoring his confidence and production on the ice.
While Pettersson’s decline resembles that of Huberdeau to some degree, Pettersson demonstrated a more commanding peak and is still five years younger, making him an intriguing option for teams willing to take a calculated risk on his resurgence.
What Lies Ahead for Pettersson and the Canucks?
With teams watching closely to see if Elias Pettersson can reclaim his earlier form, the next moves in his career will be critical. Whether he remains in Vancouver or relocates to another franchise, the outcome will likely influence the Canucks’ roster decisions and future strategy. Fans and analysts alike are left questioning how much longer Pettersson can maintain his contract’s expectations and if he can adapt to remain a valuable NHL center.
"He might be the Vancouver Canucks Jonathan Huberdeau, his best days might be behind him.."@CraigJButton on if the Olympics can jumpstart EP40.
Full interview..https://t.co/ZZGiI34RZT pic.twitter.com/glO7PJjC2r
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) February 11, 2026
