Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) and forward Elias Pettersson (40) and a small mascot celebrate the Canucks victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) and forward Elias Pettersson (40) and a small mascot celebrate the Canucks victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Questions about the consistency of Elias Pettersson are growing again after former Vancouver coach Chris Higgins made some strong comments during a recent radio interview.
Higgins praised Pettersson’s talent but questioned his commitment and preparation as an NHL star. He said players must stay fully dedicated every day, both on and off the ice, to perform consistently at the highest level.
He feels players should already have strong practice habits and daily commitment after spending several years in the league. “We’re into year 4, 5, 6, 7, and we’re still talking about preparation and your practice habits. It’s time to get rid of those guys,” Higgins said.
Oct 6, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames forward Chris Higgins (20) warms up against the the Vancouver Canucks during a preseason hockey game at Rogers Arena. the Vancouver Canucks won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames forward Chris Higgins (20) warms up against the the Vancouver Canucks during a preseason hockey game at Rogers Arena. the Vancouver Canucks won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
According to Chris Higgins, top NHL players stand out because of their daily habits, training, recovery, and mental preparation. He said talent alone is not enough. Players must take every part of the game seriously throughout the season to stay consistent.
Elias Pettersson has already faced criticism because of inconsistent performances in recent seasons. At times, he has shown great scoring skill and strong all-around play, but many critics feel he has not dominated games regularly enough for a player seen as the face of the franchise.
Looking at his last two seasons' numbers, he has scored 45 and 51 points in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, respectively. These numbers are below average as per his own standards. He is considered a better player than these numbers suggest.
Why did Chris Higgins Question Elias Pettersson's Preparation?
Chris Higgins has a strong connection with the Vancouver Canucks because he played for the team and later worked as a coach. Because of that history, he likely wants the Canucks to succeed and compete at the highest level.
He probably believes the team can only improve if its star players perform at their best every night. That may be why he sounded so critical while talking about Elias Pettersson. Higgins likely expects more from him because he knows how important Pettersson is for the team’s future.
Higgins played for the Canucks from 2010 to 2016 and scored 142 points, including 62 goals. In 2019, the Vancouver Canucks brought Chris Higgins as assistant director of player development. Later, in 2020, the team moved him to the role of Skills and Development Coach.
This season, the Vancouver Canucks finished last in the standings, with only 58 points, with a 25-49-8 record. The former coach’s comments have added more discussion around the Vancouver Canucks and their future.
As the team tries to stay competitive in the Western Conference, fans and analysts will keep watching Elias Pettersson closely to see if he can deliver superstar-level performances more consistently.
Read more at the NHL Fan Central
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Souvik Roy