Canucks: 3 takeaways from Elias Pettersson’s 2019-20 season
Pettersson becomes back-to-back All-Star
Not too surprising, but Pettersson was once again an NHL All-Star. Being the first of three Canucks selected to represent the team at the 2020 ASG weekend, Pettersson edged out Hughes and Jacob Markstrom. Not to downplay the incredible year had by both Markstrom and Hughes, but it just goes to show you how quietly dominant Pettersson really was.
Up until the reveal of who was in, Hughes and Markstrom were arguably having a much more flashy campaign. Nonetheless, Pettersson got the nod for the second straight year and he headed off to St. Louis to show why he belonged there. Now I know the All-Star Weekend isn’t taken seriously amongst the players, but it’s still a great way to see how a player measures up.
Good to see Pettersson take another step in the right direction. Not appearing at this year’s event would have been a sign of a slip-up or step back. Thanks to the jaw-dropping play of Hughes and Markstrom, the spotlight dimmed a little over Pettersson’s post this year, but that never stopped him from getting back to the ASG and redeeming himself after a pour rookie showing last year.
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It’s the early signs of a winner. Pettersson considers himself a champion and he’ll continue to be an All-Star for the Canucks for years to come. He holds himself to such a high standard that you can come to expect him to be a shoo-in at the annual ASG weekend. He proved that this season by being the first man in on the Vancouver Canucks.