Vancouver is 20-17-10, good for fifth place in the Pacific Division and three points back of the Calgary Flames for the final wildcard berth in the West. It’s been a hugely difficult season in British Columbia; the most glaring problem is the fact that two star forwards who shouldn’t be anywhere near the trade market are two of the biggest names on it.
Elias Pettersson and JT Miller were both supposed to be cornerstone players for this franchise — and both are locked up long-term — but a rift in the dressing room seems to have led to a point where either the Swede or the American is going to get a change of scenery. That’s worst-case scenario for Canucks fans, who have been endeared to both players over the years.
Still, general manager Patrik Allvin has some very difficult decisions to make ahead of the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline, and he’s already reportedly been working the phones to move Pettersson or Miller out.
Canucks have tough decisions to make on JT Miller, Elias Pettersson
Following the blockbuster trade that sent superstar forward Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes — one of the best players traded in the 21st century — The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Hurricanes had had talks with the Canucks about one of Pettersson or Miller.
“Where this leaves the Canucks is a whole other story, of course. As I reported late Friday night, it’s my understanding that Carolina and Vancouver got close on a deal this past week,” the hockey insider reported on Saturday. “What I can’t confirm is whether it involved J.T. Miller or Elias Pettersson because the reality is that the Canes had talks with the Canucks over the past several weeks on each player. All I know is that Miller wasn’t asked to waive his full no-move clause.”
At this point, it seems like a matter of if, not when, one of the two star players are traded. LeBrun reported that Vancouver has had talks with teams as recently as this week regarding Pettersson.
“The Canucks could trade either Miller or Pettersson and perhaps even both when all is said and done between now and next season.”
While there’s no guarantee that either player will be moved between now and the deadline, it’s clear that the Canucks’ front office is working hard to move at least one of them.
At this time last season, Vancouver was one of the top teams in the NHL. They came within one win of a first trip to the Western Conference Final since 2011, losing to an Edmonton Oilers team in Round 2 that came one victory from a first title since 1990. The Canucks just look completely different this year, and that could lead to a couple of players being dealt — either ahead of the deadline or in the offseason.
LeBrun also reports that the New York Rangers continue to try to pry Miller out of British Columbia and bring him back to the Big Apple. If those talks continue to progress, Allvin and the front office should be looking to get Will Borgen back as part of a package.