Every cloud has a silver lining—fans in Vancouver should know based on how many rainy days they get each year. After the dramatic turn of events that shook the Vancouver Canucks last NHL season that might be under scrutiny. However, reports now suggest Elias Pettersson could learn a valuable teaching from his rift with then teammate, now New York Rangers’ J.T. Miller.
It was all everybody talked about during the 2024-25 NHL season in Vancity. The Canucks‘ performance night in and night out left a lot to be desired, and the behind-the-scenes quarrel took over. One might believe it’s all over now. Miller is in Manhattan with the Rangers. Meanwhile, Pettersson has fixed his eyes on redemption during the upcoming campaign.
However, recent rumors around the league and Pettersson’s candid statements hint something is brewing in British Columbia. The 26-year-old center is far from content with his production last season. If he could, he’d erase the 2024-25 NHL season entirely from his head. Or perhaps not.
Calm waters never made a good sailor. Pettersson is determined to learn from recent disappointments and turn them to his benefit. On that note, a report hints the Canucks’ star could be taking a page off Miller’s book in order to lead Vancouver next season.
Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks arrive at the arena for a game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on November 09, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
“Sometimes it takes players a little while to find some of that fire in them. [Pettersson] is never going to be a J.T. Miller-like player with that intensity,” Cam Robinson said on the Sekeres and Price podcast. “But I do think that he can grow into it a little bit more and find that switch a little more often.”
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NHL News: After dramatic rift with Elias Pettersson and Canucks, J.T. Miller reportedly set for big promotion with Rangers
Where it all went wrong
The Canucks had entered the 2024-25 NHL season with revamped hopes and expectations. It all happened just months removed from winning the Pacific Division and losing in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, without previous warning, the house of cards in Vancouver came crashing down.
By New Year’s Day in 2025 the Canucks were left staring at each other, wondering where did it all go wrong. A 5-9 record in the month of December reflected how severe the issue was behind closed doors. According to reports, it was in the last months of 2024 when things spiraled out of control. New insight uncovered the rift between Miller, Pettersson, and Rick Tocchet, among others.
“What we understand was a confrontation (not physical) after this one game when he got benched and then the next day the organization announced he was going to take a personal leave,” Farhan Lalji explained on TSN 1200 Ottawa.
J.T. Miller #8 of the New York Rangers in action during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on March 20, 2025 in New York City.
Turning point
The game in itself was Nov. 17’s outing against the Nashville Predators at home. The Canucks lost 5-3 to a team they felt had no business losing to. By then, Nashville languished in the league’s basement, tied for last place in the NHL standings. After the game, Miller took a leave of absence, reflecting the state of things in the locker room. Nothing was the same, since.
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That’s all in the past now, however. The Canucks would be wise to move on from last season’s events and focus on a crucial campaign. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Vancouver is still licking its wounds, but if Pettersson’s words (in Swedish) are any indication, revenge is in the plans for the future in Vancity.
