Canucks: NHL Network ranks Pettersson 38th best NHL player
The Vancouver Canucks have an elite centre in Elias Pettersson, but according to the NHL Network, the Swedish forward is just the 38th best player in the NHL.
As the NHL chips away at a return-to-play for the 2021 season, the NHL’s website has slowly been releasing a list of who they believe to be the 50 best players in the National Hockey League right now.
Last week, the Vancouver Canucks‘ very own, Quinn Hughes found himself on the 50-41 list, ranking at No. 46. Considering everything Hughes did last season (leading all rookies in points, breaking multiple records) and despite just being a one-year pro, that number seemed like a bit of a low blow to the young man’s game.
This week the NHL Network released their list of players ranked between 31 and 40, and Elias Pettersson landed in the 38th slot. Is this another shot below the belt fired at the Vancouver Canucks, or is this ranking right in the ballpark of where Pettersson should be?
Through two seasons in the NHL, Pettersson has put up back-to-back 66-point campaigns. His rookie season was breath-taking, to say the least, as he brought home the Calder Trophy before following it up with a very consistent sophomore season.
The Swedish star is very much a well-known playmaker in the NHL and he’s already building a brand for himself. He’s two for two in being named an NHL All-Star, and he’s proven he can still be a reliable point producer in the playoffs despite his smaller frame.
In his first NHL playoff appearance, Pettersson racked up 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 17 games en route to winning two playoff series’ before being eliminated in seven games by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Pettersson is a complete player and his instincts are impeccable. He’s one of the NHL’s best man-advantage goal scorers and his defensive game is no joke. In 2019-20, Pettersson found the back of the net 27 times and he did it in a variety of creative ways.
His hand-eye coordination was definitely something that stood out in his second season and he’ll be a franchise piece for the Canucks for years to come. Whether the 38-spot on the NHL’s Top 50 list is the right place for Pettersson or not, he’s only going to improve and Vancouver should be very happy to have him in their system.
Next. Canucks Rumour: There is interest in signing Travis Hamonic. dark
What are your thoughts Canucks Nation? Are you happy with where Pettersson ranks amongst the NHL’s best players? Let us know in the comment section.