Elias Pettersson, the 26-year-old center for the Vancouver Canucks, has become the focus of heated discussion online. Drafted fifth overall in 2017, Pettersson remains an important part of the Canucks’ offense. In the 2025-26 season, he has played seven games, scoring one goal and adding three assists. He has a +1 rating and averages about 18 minutes of ice time per game.
Canucks head coach Adam Foote talked about Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He addressed Pettersson’s role at even strength during the game.
“He played eight minutes on special teams and two shifts in the last eight minutes because we’re down 5-1. When you’re playing eight minutes on special teams, mainly because of our injuries, those are hard minutes. Then you take the three games in three and a half days, three hard road games, where he played really good,” Foote said, via NHL insider Tyson Cole.
The debate started when NHL Rumour Report shared a post from “Frankly Hockey’s” Frank Seravalli. He suggested that a buyout might be Pettersson’s future and wrote,
“Change of scenery? No one’s gonna take him on, what you’re talking about is a buyout next year, obviously that’s a long ways off, I think you’re stuck in the meantime; you pray he somehow finds some confidence.”
I don’t know what Pettersson did to Frank but this level of anger towards a player is wild. https://t.co/kOjO4LbQZ1
— Adam Kierszenblat (@Adamkblat) October 23, 2025
Vancouver insider Adam Kierszenblat reshared the post on X, saying, “I don’t know what Pettersson did to Frank but this level of anger towards a player is wild.”
​How did fans on X react to Elias Pettersson after Adam shared his post?
“I would assume Elias Pettersson has some type of serious attitude problem. Frank attacking him. JTM, with mgmt support, trying to “toughen him up”. But when you hear @SadClubCommish hear rumblings about having problems with *the Sedins*, you can’t brush it off,” One fan suggested that Pettersson might have a serious attitude problem.
I would assume Elias Pettersson has some type of serious attitude problem. Frank attacking him. JTM, with mgmt support, trying to “toughen him up”.
But when you hear @SadClubCommish hear rumblings about having problems with *the Sedins*, you can’t brush it off.— Canucks News (@NoCupsEver1970) October 23, 2025
“Frank has always had a bizarre infatuation with Tocchet (positive in this case). Probably plays a role in it,” Another fan suggested that Seravalli’s criticism could be influenced by personal bias.
Frank has always had a bizarre infatuation with Tocchet (positive in this case). Probably plays a role in it
— Curtis Rempley (@CurtisRempley) October 23, 2025
“Anger towards a player? It’s reality. No one’s taking his 11.6M salary unless 30%-50% is retained. Frank doesn’t need to suck up to the organization like yourself, he’s free to tell it like it is. “He’s sooooo back”. Learn the game and try becoming unbiased,” one user defended Seravalli’s blunt approach.
Anger towards a player? It’s reality. No one’s taking his 11.6M salary unless 30%-50% is retained. Frank doesn’t need to suck up to the organization like yourself, he’s free to tell it like it is. “He’s sooooo back”. Learn the game and try becoming unbiased.
— Thomas (@heynow1033) October 23, 2025
Some more reactions from fans followed.
“He’s sucked for 1.5 years and ruined two canucks seasons. Are you daft? You really are a fanboy aren’t you. Literally nothing he said is wrong. Journalists are supposed to be objective, not fans. Try it sometime,” a fan focused on Elias Pettersson’s performance.
“Frank loves the negative Van fans,” commented another fan.
Frank loves the negative Van fans.
— Todd 🇨🇦 (@AirdrieCanuck) October 23, 2025
“Probably because Petey is balding and still looks younger than Frank,” Another added.
The Canucks will now look to move past the discussion as they face the Nashville Predators on Oct 23, at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
