Elias Pettersson reveals why he stopped contract negotiations with the Canucks

Elias Pettersson’s focus is clear. On Wednesday, the star forward announced that has put extension talks “on hold” with the Vancouver Canucks as he prepares for the upcoming season.

“I’ve just put that on hold,” Pettersson told NHL.com on Wednesday. “I still have one more year left. I’ve been wanting to focus on training this summer and the contract will sort itself out.”

Pettersson is entering the final season of a three-year, $22.05 million deal, which carries a cap hit of $7.35 million. He is scheduled for restricted free agency next July.

This echoes what Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin had mentioned earlier this summer when asked about the negotiations with his star forward. The GM had stated that the team would sit down with Pettersson’s camp “when the time is right.”

And it won’t be during the 2023-24 season…

Pettersson also told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday that he prefers to “wait into the season to consider an extension” and “wants to focus on starting strong” in 2023-24.

“I got one more year left over there. And I don’t want to rush into anything because I still don’t know myself if it’s going to be a short- or long-term (deal),” Pettersson told Friedman. “It’s going to be probably my biggest contract so far. So I don’t want to stress anything.”

Last season, Pettersson tallied 39 goals, topping the 30-goal mark for the second straight year. He also beat his career-best point total by 34 with 102 points in 80 games.

We get why the Canucks want to hold on to him for the future, but fans will have be to patient with this one…

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