The Vancouver Canucks are finally starting to look like a full team again.
Forward Elias Pettersson has been activated from the injured reserve after missing the team’s last six games with an undisclosed injury, the team announced on Friday ahead of their game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 26-year-old has not played since Dec. 23 when he left Vancouver’s 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks with an undisclosed injury after scoring two goals.
Prior to his two-goal performance, Pettersson had been held without a point in his last six games. Despite his droughts and recent absence, the Sundsvall, Sweden native has the fifth-most points for the Canucks this season with 28 (10 goals, 18 assists) in 34 games.
Pettersson, who signed an eight-year, $92.8-million extension last season, has been the centre of alleged off-ice drama between him and centre J.T. Miller.
While both players have publicly denied the feud — in contrast with statements from captain Quinn Hughes and head coach Rick Tocchet that suggest otherwise — it seems that the organization is looking at drastic moves to kill the noise once and for all.
“The Canucks are definitely, definitely looking at the market for both players and you should be prepared for all outcomes,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
The Canucks head to Carolina on the back of a three-game losing streak and have lost eight of their last 10 games. They currently sit fourth in the Pacific division with an 18-12-10 record.
