Pettersson, Miller irked by gossip: 'People still try and make shit up'

Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson didn't offer much insight when asked about his relationship with teammate J.T. Miller following Saturday's loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Rumors of a rift between the two forwards have engulfed the team of late, but Pettersson says there's no credibility to the outside gossip.

"I don't know why people still try to make shit up," Pettersson said, according to Sportsnet. "Excuse my language, but yeah."

Pettersson ended his media availability when the next question asked if rumors were affecting his play.

Miller took the opportunity to shut down the recent speculation on Sunday.

"You guys (the media) in a sense of that outer world have created this thing," Miller said. "Like, this isn't a thing. So, am I bothered? No. But you guys are just wasting your time.

"I don't care. You guys want to talk about it? You want to ask me? Ask me all you want. I can bring up Petey and we can do the interview together, if that would make you guys happy."

He added: "I have a lot of stuff to worry about right now for myself. I'm not worried about any noise, the noise is between my ears and I'm trying to figure out how to play a good 200-foot game for the team."

Captain Quinn Hughes and head coach Rick Tocchet addressed the rumors before Saturday's game. Hughes said the dressing room is united, while Tocchet noted disagreements among teammates are normal.

Pettersson and Miller are each producing at a lower rate than they did last season when they spearheaded the Canucks to a Pacific Division title. Vancouver currently holds the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference despite winning only three of its past 10 games.