The superstar 26-year-old forward will make his return from injured reserve to the Vancouver Canucks per general manager Patrik Allvin. General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Elias Pettersson has been activated from IR.

Elias Pettersson skated with Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk, and was more frequently self-matched with Quinn Hughes against the top end of the Toronto lineup. Frankly, Pettersson’s deployment patterns on Saturday more closely matched how the Canucks have utilized J.T. Miller for much of this season.

Elias Pettersson’s much-anticipated return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup ended in disappointment as the team fell 2-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. Pettersson made his comeback after being sidelined since suffering an undisclosed injury on Dec. 23. He left that game against the San Jose Sharks after scoring two goals.

Now with general manager Patrik Allvin's hand being forced to consider making a move to change up the locker-room dynamic, Pettersson's name has been used in trade rumor discussions, which is a first in the All-Star's six-and-a-half seasons with the Canucks.

Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson is a trade candidate this season. This was the case before the Canucks placed him on injured reserve back on January 3. It stems from a reported rift between him and J.