Canucks: How will Elias Pettersson fit in to Sweden’s 2022 Olympic team?

Pettersson’s spot on Sweden’s power play

The umbrella power play format was almost unheard of 10 years ago, but it has become increasingly more popular year by year. It is the powerplay system that is run by Vancouver’s first unit, and you should expect to see Pettersson play the same role in Sweden’s powerplay that he does for Vancouver’s, playing at the top of the right circle.

Sweden’s elite defence gives the team a plethora of options for the powerplay, and a strong candidate to quarterback the first unit is John Klingberg. The Stars defenceman scored two goals and added fifteen assists on the man-advantage for the Stars during the 2019-20 regular season, and his versatility and ability to pass the puck quickly on the blueline would make a deadly combination with both Pettersson, on his right, and Zibanejad on his left.

The elite shooting ability of Artemi Panarin means Zibanejad doesn’t play the left shooting spot on the Rangers’ powerplay, but he has an underrated slapshot of his own. Back in 2014, Zibanejad set the Ottawa Senators record in their hardest shot competition, clocking in at 106 miles per hour. For some perspective, Zdeno Chara’s NHL record in the All-Star Game is slightly better, achieving a shot of 108.8 miles per hour.

Both Landeskog and Nylander can play either the slot or the front-of-the-net positions, while the left-hand shot of Pettersson feeding the right-handed shots of Nylander, Zibanejad, and Klingberg means that, along with being a threat with his elite shot, Pettersson could be racking up the assists in buckets on the man-advantage.

Finally, let’s take a look at the other Swedes on the Vancouver Canucks. Edler and Eriksson are years past their prime, and I’d go as far as saying that there is no chance you see either of them playing in the next Olympics. But what about Nils Hoglander?

The rookie has been outstanding through his first 21 games this season, currently tied for second in rookie scoring on a Canucks team starved for offence at five-on-five. Hoglander’s impact is often not on the scoresheet, with his determination and forechecking ability earning him praise throughout the Canuck fanbase this year.

By the time the 2022 Olympics roll around, Hoglander should be halfway through his sophomore season at the age of 21. Despite his excellent play this season, Hoglander is probably a longshot to be taken as one of Sweden’s 14 forwards. Rickard Rakell and Gustav Nyquist are the leading candidates to fill the spots at wing on Sweden’s fourth line, with both Adrian Kempe and Mikael Backlund’s ability to play centre making them more likely choices for the two extra forward roles.

Sweden’s other “cuts” also have to be considered; Andre Burakovsky seems to be just hitting his prime, but his defensive play and passing are the only factors keeping him out of Sweden’s line-up right now. Jakob Silfverberg has been a staple for the national team, featuring on both the 2014 and 2016 rosters, but his increasing age and declining production for Anaheim will likely see him left off.

Even looking at the other youngsters; there’s a chance that both Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz are in their rookie seasons for Detroit and New Jersey, and both could also compete for spots on the Swedish roster. Although Hoglander is doubtful to be included on the 2022 roster for the Beijing Olympics, he is certainly a strong candidate to be included in the 2026 edition of team Sweden.

What do you think Canucks fans? Is Pettersson a lock to be one of the best players on team Sweden? Does Hoglander have a chance to crack the roster? Let us know in the comments section.