From Pagnotta:
The Vancouver Canucks and centre Elias Pettersson are comfortable waiting for the end of the season to address the superstar's contractual status.
The 25-year-old is on pace for a second-consecutive 100+ point season and is due for a nice raise. In fact, if he wants to commit to an eight-year extension tomorrow, he can.
According to a well-placed source tied to the club, the Canucks tabled Pettersson a long-term deal, believed to be eight years, worth $12 million per season at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign. That offer has not been rejected; it's there for the taking. Pettersson simply wants to take his time, see how the season plays out and revisit his future in the summer.
This isn't about money; Pettersson is focused on winning. That's why he shut down talks last off-season – he wanted to fully prepare for this year and help the Canucks bring a championship to Vancouver. His patience, so far, is paying off.
The Canucks aren't feeling any heat, either. They control his rights, as Pettersson can become a restricted free agent July 1 (with arbitration rights), but they aren't applying any significant pressure. The deal is there for him when he's ready for it. Right now, his priorities are elsewhere and that's winning.
- David Pagnotta
