Elias Pettersson's poor performance set to cost him millions.

The poor play of Vancouver Canucks star forward Elias Pettersson has dominated hockey talk in the Vancouver market for much of the 2024-25 National Hockey League regular season and, unfortunately for Pettersson, his performances on the ice since returning from the Four Nations Face-Off have caused some to lose hope in the possibility in him ever recovering the form he once showed.

One such doubter is none other than Canadian broadcaster Farhan Lalji who was a recent guest on Donnie and Dhali - The Team where he would deliver an absolutely scathing review of what he has seen out of Pettersson this season and in turn what conclusions his recent struggles have led him to.

"I get that maybe tendonitis has something to do with it but boy I don't know that we've ever seen in the history of hockey tendonitis affect a player for 13 months," said Lalji during his appearance on the show.

Lalji continued to suggest that the problem with Pettersson was far more than a mere injury could explain.

"I've talked to some sports doctors about this, they feel generally an injury like that would affect a hockey player less than it would a foot in ground type of athlete, a basketball player or whatever it happens to be," said Lalji. "So it's baffling to me that it's 13 months and you have to believe that part of the problem is not the knee, it's between the ears."

The veteran Canadian broadcaster expressed doubt that Pettersson would ever return to the form that earned him his lucrative contract with the Vancouver Canucks, a contract that has only just kicked in this season.

"I just have my wonders whether or not he's ever gonna get it back," admitted Lalji.

Lalji would even go one step further, suggesting that Pettersson's poor play would eventually cost him millions of dollars.

"Truly I believe at some point this contract is gonna get bought out," said Lalji. "It's just a case of what team is going to wind up doing it and in what year."

Pettersson is over 26 years of age so he would get 2/3rds of his salary in the event of a buyout and all of his signing bonuses, but that would still mean leaving millions on the table. For example if Pettersson were to be bought out of his contract next season, a scenario that is admittedly extremely unlikely, he would stand to lose nearly $13 million in salary.

That being said Pettersson has $25 million in signing bonuses remaining on his current deal, all of which would have to be paid in full.

It is clear that many no longer believe that Pettersson can be one of the top players in the National Hockey League, and that Lalji counts himself among that group.

"I have big picture long term future questions about this player," admitted Lalji in conclusion.