“Probably Going To Shut Petey Down”: Canucks Coach Rick Tocchet Gives Update On Elias Pettersson’s Season
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has offered a sobering update on star forward Elias Pettersson, confirming that the Swedish center will likely miss the remainder of the 2024–25 NHL season due to ongoing injury concerns.
Speaking during a press availability earlier this week, Tocchet stated, “We’re probably going to shut Petey down,” referring to the 26-year-old playmaker who has struggled with form and fitness throughout the campaign. The news comes as a major blow to the Canucks, who have relied on Pettersson’s elite offensive skills since his debut in 2018.
Pettersson has battled what the organization vaguely labeled as “lingering issues” for months, sparking concern among fans and analysts about his long-term durability. While neither Tocchet nor team officials specified the exact nature of the ailment, sources close to the situation suggest it involves a lower-body injury exacerbated by repeated strain and fatigue over the season.
“He’s just not himself out there,” Tocchet added. “We’ve got to think long-term here, not just the next game.”
This marks a significant shift for the Canucks, who earlier extended key players including Thatcher Demko and Brock Boeser in an effort to solidify their core. Losing Pettersson—arguably the centerpiece of that core—means the team must now lean more heavily on younger talent and recent additions like Braeden Cootes, who signed an entry-level contract last week.
Pettersson’s season ends with 56 points in 61 games—a solid showing by league standards but below his usual output. After a career-best 102-point campaign in 2022–23, expectations for the Canucks’ No. 1 center had soared, especially following his lucrative contract extension.
Fans and insiders alike will now watch closely to see how the Canucks manage their playoff push without one of their most dynamic threats. As the regular season draws to a close, Tocchet emphasized that the team’s focus remains on recovery, development, and the bigger picture.
