Boeser Says Pettersson Is In A Better Headspace Entering Canucks Camp

Brock Boeser has watched Elias Pettersson's decline from a few feet away. At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour this week, he said things look different now.

"Seems like he's in a great headspace," Boeser said of the Swedish centre, now 27. "Way better than the last few years."

That matters in Vancouver because almost nothing else about the organization looks the way it did a year ago. Over the offseason, Henrik and Daniel Sedin moved up to co-presidents of hockey operations, Ryan Johnson became general manager and Manny Malhotra was named head coach. The Canucks finished last in the overall standings, and captain Quinn Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild.

Pettersson's production has slipped since his eight-year, $92.8 million extension, which pays an average of $11.6 million a season and includes a full no-movement clause. He put up 51 points in 74 games last season with 15 goals, his second straight 15-goal year. Before the deal he averaged 1.03 points per game. Since, 0.70.

Boeser, 29 and signed through 2031-32, framed the coaching and management overhaul as a reset for his teammate.

"It's just a fresh start," he said. "He really needs to take advantage of it... try and put everything aside and just focus on what he can do."

Boeser also expects to carry more of the room himself with a young roster arriving for camp next week.

"I have to take a big step in that role," he said. "Be a guy that the younger guys can lean on and talk to, be there for them and set an example."

On Malhotra, who played with the Sedins in Vancouver and spent the last two seasons coaching the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks: "High on work ethic. He's going to hold you accountable."

As for Caleb Malhotra, the coach's son and Vancouver's No. 3 pick in June who heads to Boston University this season, Boeser admitted he does not know much yet. "I heard he's a stud."