With Elias Pettersson set to play under his fifth head coach on the Vancouver Canucks, the latest is prepared to do whatever it takes to get him back on track.
Speaking to reporters for the first time on Thursday in an introductory press conference, Manny Malhotra was asked about his plan for the struggling forward.
"I have not spoken with him yet ... as with every player, my goal is to help him find his game," said the newly hired coach. "We all know what he's capable of doing, the talent he possesses, and the ability that he has on the ice."
After a breakout 102-point season in 2022-23 and 89 points the following season, Pettersson has failed to meet expectations, putting up 45 points in 64 games in 2024-25 and 51 points in 74 games this season, along with the lowest shot totals of his career and the worst plus/minus.
"One of the things that I love the most about coaching is finding that connection with players and finding what makes them tick, and how to get the best out of them," continued Malhotra.
"So it's on myself and the staff to help him find his best game, and to be the player that we know he's capable of being."
Pettersson, 27, was drafted by the Canucks as the fifth overall pick in 2017.
Over 545 career games across eight seasons with Vancouver, the Swede has accumulated 200 goals and 308 assists.
