By Janik Beichler



Vancouver Canucks fans had high hopes for one of the most talented prospects the organization has ever seen. But instead of struggling under the pressure, Elias Pettersson came in and crushed them.



Pettersson recorded five goals and eight points in his first five NHL games, before sustaining a concussion after being slammed to the ice by Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson.



However, the true concern regarding Pettersson was never about his ability to score. The forward had proven he can be an impact player at the highest level when he became the Swedish Hockey League’s top scorer, as well as regular-season and playoff MVP, all at age 19. The bigger question coming into his first year with the Canucks was whether he had the defensive abilities that would allow him to succeed as an NHL centre, especially given his rather slim frame.



So far, he’s delivered at both ends of the rink.



In the small sample of...