Pettersson is not worried about that just yet.
RELATED: [Complete World Championship coverage]
"I haven't thought about that in that way," said Pettersson, who is representing Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
"I've always wanted to play in the NHL. Back when I got drafted, I knew I was one step closer to the NHL. To be drafted by Vancouver was fantastic. It's a dream come true. I've been looking forward and hoping to play in the NHL in Vancouver."
Petterson, the No. 5 selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, was named most valuable player as voted by the league, forward of the year, and rookie of the year after he led the SHL with 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists) in 44 games, and led the league with a plus-27. He also set a scoring record for a junior-aged player in the league.
Pettersson added 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 13 games to help Vaxjo win the Le Mat Trophy as Swedish champions. Pettersson was awarded the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. Again, he set a playoff scoring record for junior-aged players.
"It's a season I couldn't have imagined by myself," said Pettersson, who also had seven points (five goals, two assists) to help Sweden to silver at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. "Going into the season I knew I could do well in the SHL, but doing this well, I never could've dreamed of. Of course, I'm very happy with the season. It couldn't have been more perfect."
His buzz reached North America.
"You read it in Swedish media and newspapers and all that, and you can also tell who's coming up in the draft rankings. You can see the next big shot," said Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund, Pettersson's linemate at the World Championship. "I had just seen highlights and there was lots of talk about him in Swedish media.
"I met him last week in Stockholm. Right off the hop you can tell he's very smart with the puck, very skilled, very offensively talented. But he's responsible defensively, too. He works really hard … all over the ice he works really hard. But his offensive talent is outstanding."
It has come together fast for Pettersson.
"My main focus is to always get better every day," he said. "That I have developed quickly this season, I'm very happy about it, but I'm not taking anything for granted. I still have to work hard to become a better player."
That further development could come in Vancouver, where Pettersson would be joining an emerging young cast with the Canucks. Rookie forward Brock Boeser, 21, was nominated for the Calder Trophy after leading Vancouver with 29 goals. He also tied Daniel Sedin for the team lead in points at 55. Bo Horvat, 23, scored a career-high 22 goals.