2 weeks Ago By Patrick Johnston
Another week, another mailbag. Elias Pettersson ’s performance remains the hot topic among Canucks fans, so let’s take a further look at how things are going with him. And also Dakota Joshua is nearing a return — a reminder of how much depth the healthy Canucks’ lineup sports.
Speed is so important in the NHL, isn’t it possible that the tendinitis is affecting his speed and therefore affecting his play in a major way? This results in confidence problems and him not shooting? — Kent Nilsson via YouTube You aren’t the first person to wonder if the power in Pettersson’s stride has been an issue. Here’s a thing that we weren’t able to see in years past: a player’s top skating speed. A look at the NHL’s Edge Stats engine reveals some interesting year-over-year data for Pettersson: In his first six games this year, he hasn’t hit the top speed he hit last season, and he hasn’t had nearly as many speed bursts as he did last year, either.
Indeed, his skating so far this season is in the bottom 50 per cent of the league — his top speed burst has been 34.2 km/h, below the league average of 34.7.
Last season, he was slightly above average, hitting 36.7 km/h, the league average at 35.6.
And the number of times he had speed bursts over 32 km/h is so far below average — he’s done so just six times, whereas the average NHL skater has done so nine times. Last year, he hit the hammer over 32 km/h 111 times while the league average was 73 times. The contrast is stark.
For whatever reason, Pettersson hasn’t been hitting his strides as hard. And in 2022-23, his top speed had him in the 93rd percentile in the league, hitting 37.51 km/h (the league average that year was 35.
5 km/h). He mentioned after last season he’s dealing with knee tendinitis. That’s going to slow you down.
If that’s a permanent thing, he’s got to find a way to change his game and yet keep it effective. I want to see a few more years of Pettersson-to-Hoglander empty-netters for the Canucks. But also possibly another look at DeBrusk on that line? — Ron Sweeney via Bluesky This is the thing: Even if Pettersson’s not skating as well as he was last year, there’s lots happening.
He’s playing really well with Nils Hoglander . The Canucks are getting more shots off than they just about ever have with Pettersson on the ice . That’s a sign he is finding different ways to contribute.
Just because you’re not the quickest skater anymore isn’t a death knell. He’s still a physically dominant athlete, with a great shot and great vision. Jason Allison was mocked in his day for his brutal skating, but he still put up points for years as a very crafty player in very tough-checking hockey.
In this fast, open, high-skill era, Pettersson should still be able to thrive. Jake DeBrusk remains an intriguing option, but Conor Garland and his energy may be just the thing Pettersson needs on his line. We need Dakota back.
He left a big hole on this team — ‘devygoodtimes’ via Bluesky There’s little doubt that getting Dakota Joshua back in the lineup will be a very important thing. He skated again with his mates on Friday, but is still in a no-contact jersey. Rick Tocchet said he wants to see the winger play in a few more battle-style drills in practice, but that the winger is essentially ready to go for the season otherwise.
When Joshua comes back in the lineup, where does he fit? Probably with Teddy Blueger at centre and one of either Danton Heinen or Kiefer Sherwood on the other. That’s a pretty solid third line — and it would see the other of those two slide to the fourth line, which currently has Nils Aman , Arshdeep Bains and Pius Suter on it. Bains would likely come out of the lineup at this point.
That’s quite the forward depth, assuming everyone remains healthy. [email protected].
