04-03-2025
"We're In A Dogfight, So To Speak, And We're Up For The Challenge": Marcus Pettersson Discusses His First Month With The Vancouver Canucks
It has been just over a month since the Vancouver Canucks pulled off two significant trades that vastly altered their lineup. One of the moves was to bring in defenceman Marcus Pettersson, who has already signed a six-year extension with the organization. Not only does Pettersson bring plenty of on-ice experience to the Canucks, but he is also touted as a leader, according to current Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
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Since being acquired on January 31, Pettersson has played in all nine games for Vancouver. He is averaging 21:36 of ice time, has recorded 16 blocked shots and already has his first assist with the Canucks. As Pettersson explains, he is already starting to get closer to his teammates and is ready to do whatever it takes to help Vancouver qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Learned a lot," said Pettersson. "You get to learn everybody on a deeper level. First week was kind of in quick, and then we had that break. It's a group that wants to strike forward and wants to win. Every day, you see it. You see it in practice. Every day, we compete hard. We just got to find a way here. We're in a dogfight, so to speak, and we're up for the challenge."
Get to know the newest @Canucks defender. 👊@kbieksa3 breaks down what Vancouver can expect of Marcus Pettersson.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 8, 2025
Pettersson, as well as Drew O'Connor, Filip Chytil and Victor Mancini, joined the Canucks at an interesting time in the schedule. Vancouver played four games but then had close to a two-week break as the 4 Nations Face-Off took place. According to Pettersson, the break was actually helpful as it allowed him, as well as the other three new players, an opportunity to acclimatize to their new organization and city.
"It is a little different, but all the teams went through it. The first week here, we got traded and played the next day. Three out of four played the next day, and it's kind of like being thrown into the fire right away. So, that couple of weeks helped to decompartmentalize and settle in with everything that happened. We're back at it now, and feel like all four of us are getting closer and closer with everybody in here each day."
Once the team returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off Break, the Canucks hit the road for a five-game road trip. While players spend plenty of time together while the team is at home, long road trips can help forge bonds, especially with new players. Despite the trip not producing great on-ice results, one positive was that it did allow Pettersson to get to know his new teammates better.
"Yeah, you do. You get to know teammates a lot more. You spend every day on flights and hotels and stuff like that. Results-wise, it didn't go the way we wanted. Some of the games, we were in them and let teams in the games a little bit too easy. I mean (Saturday), if you look at the scoring chances and stuff like that, we got to do a better job in front of our net. I feel like we played some great hockey (Saturday). We can't get frustrated. Like I said before, we're in the dogfight here, and we gotta take each day as it comes and get better."
Looking ahead, one thing that Pettersson will need to get used to is playing in a Canadian market. While the Penguins have a passionate fan base and a strong media presence, there is additional pressure when playing in Canada, especially in Vancouver. For Pettersson, he is excited to be in a city that is this passionate about its hockey team and is ready for whatever challenges may be thrown his way.
"It's great. We had a pretty big media following in Pittsburgh, too, obviously, with Sid (Sidney Crosby) being there for a long time. Passionate fans and everything like that. But, yeah, Canadian markets, for sure, a different beast, so to say. The home games that I have gotten here have been awesome. You can see how invested the crowd is, and I feel like the whole community is rallying around the team. So it's great to see. I saw a lot of the games last year in the playoffs. You see the passion they bring. Then, the media side of it. I mean, it's a big following. Everything you do is kind of looked through an enhancement glass right away with a Canadian market, but it just comes with the business. I mean, you would rather have that than nobody following you at all. You feel the passion and the interest. I think it's good, and just got to learn how to handle it."
After nine games, it is clear why the Canucks signed Pettersson to a long-term deal. He has consistently shut down the opposition's top players and been a crucial part of the penalty kill. If Pettersson continues his strong play for the rest of the regular season, it will go a long way in helping Vancouver qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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