We Know Why Elias Pettersson Is Waiting To Sign His Extension

Elias Pettersson has not signed a contract extension yet and we now know the reason why.

Pettersson's Top Performance

After being drafted 5th overall back in 2017, Elias Pettersson has proved to be one of the best young players in the NHL.

Last season he broke out with 39 goals and 102 points as only a 23-year-old. This shattered his previous bests of 32 goals and 68 points.



He is entering the final year of his three-year bridge deal which carries an AAV of $7.35 million. He is able to sign a long-term extension with the Canucks but has yet to do so confusing many fans.

Why He Has Not Extended Yet

Per Harman Dayal of The Athletic, Pettersson is holding out to see what Auston Matthews signs for his next deal in Toronto.


Many stars are doing this to wait and see what they could potentially ask for. If Matthews signs a deal worth $13.5 million for five years, players like Pettersson would have a lot more bargaining power and could use it as more leverage in contract negotiations.

At the end of the day, if Pettersson asks for any contract within reason, the Canucks should pay him given how he is the best player they have had since the Sedins and the most electrifying since Pavel Bure.

As seen on House of Hockey - Pettersson Refuses to Sign Extension for a Surprising Reason