Elias Pettersson speaks out on his contract situation: ‘I just want to play where there’s a chance of winning’

Google translate was getting a workout on Wednesday morning when Swedish reporter and editor in chief for HockeySverige Uffe Bodin released an interview with Elias Pettersson.

Pettersson commented on his current contract situation and according to translated tweets from Bodin, it was mostly positive news.

“My agents do all the talking (with the Canucks), and then they inform me about what’s going on,” said Pettersson. “Right now, we’re not in an agreement but I’m not worried that we’re not going to solve it eventually.”

Pettersson also mentioned that he is excited about the Canucks’ addition of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and believes that he will help the Canucks win games.

I’m not too worried about the deal getting done soon but there was an interesting tidbit in the end of the answer to another question.

Bodin asked Pettersson to talk about what kind of deal he would prefer to sign with the Canucks.

“I want to stay there (Vancouver) now, but I also want to play for a team that’s winning and has the chance to go far into the playoffs every year. I feel like we’ve got a chance to do that next year. If we have that chance when my next deal expires… I don’t know. I just want to play where there’s a chance of winning.”

This is something that we have talked about a lot over the past few months at CanucksArmy.

The core players want to win and any more years of losing would have enticed them to look elsewhere. The Canucks made a big push to become a playoff team this offseason and you can see in Pettersson’s comments that he believes the team is ready to push into the playoffs.

A deal between Pettersson and the Canucks is going to get done at some point this offseason. Though many believe there is a risk of an offer sheet, we heard from Pettersson what we all already knew.

He wants to stay and play in Vancouver and he wants to be on a winning team.

Both of those hopes can be possible, and the additions and subtractions to the Canucks’ roster this offseason point them in the right direction to make both of Pettersson’s hopes come true.

Yes, Pettersson said, “I just want to play where there’s a chance of winning,” and that’s exactly what Canucks management has tried to do for the near future.

I wouldn’t make too much of a fuss about his comments here today. He said everything that we would have expected him to say.

A deal is coming, don’t start to worry until we are up against training camp. That’s when fans might want to start to worry.