The Vancouver Canucks are banking on big years from Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat and rookie sensation Elias Pettersson, especially with the annual 50-point Sedin twins now retired.
We can’t quite call Pettersson a franchise player just yet, since he hasn’t played an NHL game. Eventually, he will be the face of this franchise, and he will be a legitimate No. 1 centre in the pros. It’s a matter of when, not if.
Horvat has shown his ability to be an annual 20-goal, 50-point player. But until/unless he takes it to another level, folks won’t label him as a franchise player.