Elias Pettersson has a complete change of heart

It's been an absolutely dream season for the Vancouver Canucks and their fanbase.

The team is on top of the league and it finally looks like their core of Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller and Thatcher Demko are turning into bonafide NHL superstars. The only question for the team now is... can they keep it up?

Out of all those players, only Miller is signed long-term. Hughes has three more seasons on his deal, Demko has two and Boeser has one. Pettersson's deal is up after this season and there's some real concern in Vancouver that the man they call 'EP40' could be on his way out of town.

The Canucks have made it clear that they would like to sign Pettersson long-term, but there's still no deal to be announced. Pettersson himself has been quiet when asked about his future, but it's believed that he essentially told the team that he's not interested in in-season negotiations. Still, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that there's a eight year, $96 million deal waiting for Pettersson the moment he wishes to sign it.

This past weekend though, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported that teams are calling Canucks GM Patrik Allvin to inquire about Pettersson's availability. 

On Tuesday, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal is reporting that the team is frustrated with Pettersson and the lack of any negotiations. Dhaliwal reported that there's a chance that the Canucks end up trading Pettersson if they can't lock him up.

From Tuesday's Donnie & Dhali podcast:

"Canucks aren't getting any indication from Pettersson that he wants to be here long-term. There's frustration there. I still have no intel he wants out. Up until now I always thought Pettersson would re-sign but I'm not so sure now. Vancouver's gotta do their homework... when it comes to a trade."

- Rick Dhaliwal

Today though, Dhaliwal reports that there's been a significant change in Pettersson's tune and that now things are trending towards a contract being signed.

From Dhaliwal earlier today:

Further to this report, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports that it was Pettersson himself who actually approached the team and said, 'let's end all this nonsense.'

From Seravalli's Daily Faceoff podcast:

"I'm told Pettersson went to the Canucks early this week and said let's end all this nonsense. Let's get a deal done, I want to stay in Vancouver."

- Frank Seravalli

But wait... I thought Pettersson didn't want to negotiate in-season?

It's incredible what a little fan and media pressure can do...

Stay tuned, there could be some big news in Vancouver this week.