A Vancouver Canucks legend is giving his opinion on one of today’s stars.

Former Canucks captain Trevor Linden appeared on Canucks Central on Sportsnet 650 on Thursday and was asked about forward Elias Pettersson, who had a tumultuous 2024-25 season.

Linden, who was president of hockey operations with the team when Pettersson was taken fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, says his concerns for the Swedish centre started during the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring.

“I’ve been there many times,” Linden said. “Where you’re not seeing it, you’re not feeling it, but you gotta get into the fight. It just wasn’t there [for Pettersson]. I mean, even though things aren’t clicking for you, get to the battle…let’s be honest, that’s what playoff hockey is.”

In playing all 13 games as Vancouver made it all the way to Game 7 of the Pacific Division Final, losing to the eventual Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, Pettersson scored just a goal and five assists for six points.

The 26-year-old followed that up by scoring 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points in 64 games. It was the lowest point total since the COVID-shortened 2021 season.

Linden admitted that even with the coaching carousel the Canucks have had with Pettersson’s career – going from Travis Green to Bruce Boudreau to Rick Tocchet in three seasons – Petterson’s had moments of looking like a superstar. However, he realizes that the 2025-26 campaign might be a make-or-break year for a player who is going to be making $11.6 million for the next seven years.

“It’s just amazing to see such a talented, gifted player look so off in certain spots, you know? So, it’s interesting. It’s a big year for him coming up, for sure. This was a big miss this year. You can’t have a guy like that man that kind of money and not have the contribution you need.”

Along with Pettersson’s lackluster season, the Canucks went on to finish fifth in the Pacific Division, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

It has led many to wonder what the future holds for Pettersson and the Canucks. Some believed he was going to be moved even after J.T. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers in January. Though general manager Patrik Allvin recognizes that Pettersson is putting in the work to come into next season better prepared, he stated during his media availability on Monday that he will “keep his options open.”

In seven seasons with the Canucks, Pettersson has scored 185 goals and 272 assists for 467 points, including a career-high 102 points during the 2022-23 campaign.