[ad_1]
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Elias Pettersson’s agent J.T. Barry weighed in on his client’s confidence level and the knee issue he dealt with in the second half of the season.
Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox
Published May 29, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Elias Pettersson signs autographs following an end-of-season media availability at Rogers Arena Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Article content
A week after Elias Pettersson revealed he’d been dealing with a knee issue for months, his agent has sought to add further context.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
- Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
- The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
- Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
- The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Pettersson’s agent, J.P. Barry, noted his client was in a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation at last week’s Vancouver Canucks end-of-season media availability.
As is often the case in these press conferences, players were asked if they’d been dealing with any injuries in the playoffs or down the stretch to the playoffs. Often players do decide to reveal their issues, but other times they don’t.
There had been plenty of speculation through the second half of the regular season and in the playoffs that Pettersson was dealing with an injury. But while the games were going on, he wasn’t saying anything.
Rick Tocchet even took time to say that Pettersson wasn’t dealing with an injury. He just had to be better, the coach implied.
Canucks Report
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
But then last week Pettersson copped to dealing with a minor knee issue, one he’d been dealing with since January.
Before the knee problem, he’d been flying high. He was the NHL’s third star of the month in January, even.
The injury slowed him, and he struggled to press through was Pettersson’s implication.
But he wasn’t looking to make an excuse, Barry told the Donnie and Dhali show on CHEK-TV on Wednesday morning.
“I thought he was in a pretty awkward spot,” Barry said about whether he should admit to the knee problem, which Tocchet admitted after Pettersson’s comment was tendinitis.
Elias Pettersson responds to questions during the NHL hockey team’s end of season news conference on May 23, 2024. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Pettersson knew himself that despite the injury, he could have played better, Barry added. There were moments of strong play, like winning the puck battles that led to Pius Suter’s series-clinching goal in Game 6 vs. Nashville, or the faceoff win that led to Brock Boeser’s game-tying goal in Game 4 vs. Edmonton.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
But the overall was poor. He struggled with a lot of shots. He didn’t look confident making hard turns. There were a lot of puck battles he shied away from. His confidence looked weak.
“He was being honest: he wasn’t 100 per cent but I don’t think he was making any excuses,” the veteran agent explained.
“He feels he could have played better.”
Pettersson signed a massive contract extension in March, which loomed over his poor performance.
Pettersson has always played to win. Being a hockey player is all he’s ever wanted to be. Barry believes Petersson’s struggles weighed on him.
“I think any player, especially a high-end player like that, that has a tough time in the playoffs, it doesn’t help,” he said.
“He’s going to have to come back and fight this for the future.”
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
pjohnston@postmedia.com
Recommended from Editorial
-
The Canucks were good in 2023-24. Here’s what needs to be better in 2024-25
-
The Canucks need a top-six winger, and more: A look at the 2024-25 forwards
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #Canucks #Elias #Pettersson #making #excuses #agent #J.T #Barry
Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-elias-pettersson-not-making-any-excuses