The weight of the media pressure on the Vancouver Canucks is growing heavier by the day.
Elias Pettersson has two points in his last seven games. It would be hard to deny he is likely being affected by how the team is getting covered right now.
"I know I can do better," Pettersson said. "I will be the first one to say it, and I never think things will get easier.
"I haven't had the start (to the season) that I wanted to. At the end of the day, I have expectations from the club, and obviously, I haven't met them yet. But, I mean, it doesn't matter what people say. I know what I can do, and that's what I'm focussing on doing."
The Canucks have lost eight of their last 10 hockey games and the rumors of Pettersson's rift with fellow forward J.T. Miller has taken its toll, whether there's substance to the narrative or not.
Now with general manager Patrik Allvin's hand being forced to consider making a move to change up the locker-room dynamic, Pettersson's name has been used in trade rumor discussions, which is a first in the All-Star's six-and-a-half seasons with the Canucks.
"I'm aware of it, I've heard it," Pettersson said to Sportsnet. "But then it's like, can I control it? No. So that's where I'm at. I'm trying not to think about it. But I'm sure it will go away if I play better and if we win."
If it were all up to Pettersson, he would remain in Vancouver.
"Yeah, of course," he said. "That's why I signed here. Of course."
The 26-year-old only just signed an eight-year extension worth $92.8 million with the Canucks last March.
He's missed six games to an undisclosed injury as he remains on the injured reserve list. He was expected to return to the lineup this week, but missed both games on Monday and Wednesday so far.
"I'm trying to not live in the past. Obviously, I wish I had played a lot better. I wished I played a lot of games better. But I've tried to learn to not play too much in the past and just try to focus on what I can do better. What's happened in the past and my play doesn't matter; I'm just trying to look forward to what's ahead."
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