The Vancouver Canucks trade drama continues to take new twists and turns.
The noise around a J.T. Miller trade has reached a new level over the past week, which has been filled with reports of failed trades. While the spotlight remains on Miller, the Canucks continue to talk to teams about dealing Elias Pettersson instead, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.
“I don’t think he’s out of the woods,” added CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal on Halford & Brough. “The goal was always to trade one of these guys, I can’t say which one is going to go.”
There is no doubt that Pettersson would fetch a higher return. To start, the packages on the table for Miller are reportedly not very exciting. In addition, Pettersson is just 26 years old with a 100-point season under his belt, and would surely invite some better players coming back.
The better return is not the only reason the Canucks might want to trade Pettersson instead of Miller. The Swedish centre has been struggling and producing far below what’s expected. From January 24, 2024, to the present day, the centre has 20 goals and 58 points in 76 games.
That’s a full calendar year of second-line production from a player making $11.6 million. His full no-movement clause kicks in on July 1, so if the Canucks want to deal him, they better do it soon.
Conflicting reports on Miller-Pettersson
Lots of insiders have reported on this rapidly developing situation and, as expected, they’re drawing different conclusions. While most agree the Canucks are listening on Pettersson, signs still overwhelmingly point towards Miller being the one traded.
Things have reportedly reached a point where not only is the team interested in moving Miller, but he’s also ready to find a new team.
“Miller seems to have reached a point where he is ready to move on from the Canucks,” wrote Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
The noise has ramped up to another level over the past week and has become an even larger distraction for the club. The team has responded by looking lifeless and suffering some of their most embarrassing losses of the season to the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers.
It feels like a resolution has to be coming sooner than later if the Canucks want to salvage this season. The easiest way to do that is with a Miller trade.
“It’s not a matter of if [Miller] will get traded; it is a matter of when at this point,” an NHL source told RG’s Jim Biringer.
The situation is fluid and anything can change with a phone call but it seems as if the Canucks are heading towards a major trade. Everyone is waiting to see which of the two centres will be on the move.