NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Vancouver Canucks.

1. Can Elias Pettersson bounce back as a No.1 center?

The Canucks are counting on Elias Pettersson to bounce back from a disappointing season.

The 26-year-old center set NHL career highs in goals (39), assists (63) and points (102) in 2022-23 and was on a similar pace through the end of January 2024 with 64 points in 49 games. But he finished 2023-24 with 89 points (34 goals, 55 assists), and last season that total dropped by almost half to 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 64 games amid a rift with top center J.T. Miller that contributed to Miller being traded to the New York Rangers on Jan. 31.

Pettersson talked about “revenge” and

See Full Page