Vancouver Canucks star forward Elias Pettersson says heB次元官网网址檚 stronger and heavier after a summer of intense conditioning and he wonB次元官网网址檛 let his contract status be a B次元官网网址渄istraction.B次元官网网址�

The Swedish sniper, who notched 39 goals and 102 points last season, is in the final year of his three-year, $22-million contract and will become a restricted free agent next year if he doesnB次元官网网址檛 sign an extension with the Canucks.

Pettersson, 24, said Thursday he wants to focus on the coming hockey season as the Canucks opened training camp in Victoria.

He skated on a line with wingers Andrei Kuzmenko and Nils Hoglander.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always tried to work my hardest,B次元官网网址� he said following the teamB次元官网网址檚 first on-ice session. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always trying to get better. This summer I had a little more time to train.B次元官网网址�

Pettersson said heB次元官网网址檚 happy to be in Vancouver now and will focus on the coming season, adding it could be the media that turns his contract situation into a distraction.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a distraction. You guys make it a distraction,B次元官网网址� Pettersson told reporters. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 happy now, but I just want to focus on the season.B次元官网网址�

PetterssonB次元官网网址檚 contract situation will likely be on his mind at times during the season, but hockey will be his primary focus, said teammate J.T. Miller.

B次元官网网址淚f you can just let him play hockey that would be great,B次元官网网址� said Miller. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a pretty good player. HeB次元官网网址檚 trained all summer. HeB次元官网网址檚 in really good shape again. I donB次元官网网址檛 think heB次元官网网址檚 worried about it. HeB次元官网网址檚 just really focused right now.B次元官网网址�

Miller, 30, who scored 32 goals and 50 assists last season, said the Canucks are looking to start the season on a winning note after hitting a losing skid in the first weeks of last year.

B次元官网网址淭he boys are ready,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think weB次元官网网址檙e itching. ItB次元官网网址檚 a fresh start. We know what to expect now. It seems like a fresh everything.B次元官网网址�

Miller said the opening day of training camp focused on defensive and offensive systems, which will help the players immediately understand their roles.

The Canucks missed the playoffs last season, finishing in sixth place in the Pacific Division with 83 points.

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said he wanted stress defensive zone play and five-on-five situations right from the outset.

B次元官网网址淚 liked the effort,B次元官网网址� he said.

But one day at training camp doesnB次元官网网址檛 make the season, said Tocchet.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 easy to have one good day,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou play a great game, but I guess the next level here is can we be consistent, can the guys come out tomorrow and practise hard again. ThatB次元官网网址檚 really the message in camp.B次元官网网址�

Pettersson said he was pleased defenceman Quinn Hughes was named team captain.

B次元官网网址淔antastic,B次元官网网址� said Pettersson, who will be an alternate captain. B次元官网网址淚 think heB次元官网网址檚 been taking steps every year. Obviously, this is a big step for him, but I think heB次元官网网址檚 more than ready.B次元官网网址�

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