New York Rangers trade rumors: NHL insider issues warning about any J.T. Miller deal
The only reason J.T. Miller is being shopped by the Vancouver Canucks is because of his untenable relationship with star teammate Elias Pettersson … and that should make a team like the New York Rangers pause before trading for the 31-year-old forward.
So says NHL insider Darren Dreger of TSN.
It’s no secret that Miller and Pettersson do not get along, and it’s affecting their on-ice play, while dragging down the rest of the Canucks. Two star players warring isn’t conducive to a winning atmosphere. Hence, the Canucks (22-17-10) are on the outside looking in at a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
But who’s to blame for the bad blood? Miller is the more abrasive personality, so that leads to concern.
“Don’t think teams aren’t doing their homework here, making sure they understand what’s going on in Vancouver. Why hasn’t this worked for J.T.? How much of this is he responsible for?,” Dreger said on the Sekeres and Price podcast.
Miller took a leave of absence for personal reasons earlier this season. He’s been benched at times during games by Canucks coach Rick Tocchet. And the 103-point scorer from last season has 34 (nine goals, 25 assists) in 39 games this season.
The first-round pick (No. 15 overall) by the Rangers in the 2011 draft remains tight-lipped publicly, as is his nature, about any issues with Pettersson.
But Canucks president Jim Rutherford provided a clear look into the ugly relationship Tuesday.
“Everybody has worked on it, including the parties involved. But it only gets resolved for a short period of time and then it festers again. So it certainly appears like there’s not a good solution that would keep this group together,” Rutherford told the Globe and Mail.
When asked if he was referring to Miller and Pettersson, he replied, “yes, yup.”
The Rangers have been in on re-acquiring Miller for several months. Reportedly a Miller for Mika Zibanejad trade fell through in November. Another possible trade involving Miller and New York was close on Jan. 18, but, again, did not reach completion.
“I’m not 100 percent convinced that there was a deal there to be made,” Dreger said. “How close is close?”
Dreger does believe the Rangers remain in on Miller and added that the Columbus Blue Jackets are “kicking the tires” about a possible deal. He added that the Buffalo Sabres will “stay in it” until told they’re out of any competition. And don’t rule out the Colorado Avalanche, who just traded star winger Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes.
But Dreger did say he heard from a source that one team is no longer in on the Miller.
“I had a real good Dallas source curiously tell me [the Stars] aren’t in it,” Dreger stated. “And that was a day ago. So that takes a pretty big player (team) out of play (for Miller).”
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As for Pettersson, his name is all over the trade rumor mill, too. Especially with reports that the Hurricanes were in talks with the Canucks about dealing for Pettersson before making the Rantanen trade.
Pettersson makes $11.6 million annually through 2031-32. That’s much more than Miller, who averages $8 million per through 2029-30. Pettersson is five years younger than Miller.
However, Pettersson has just 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 43 games this season. Like Miller, he has one 100-point season on his resume (102 in 2022-23).
Dreger said it’s possible the Canucks could trade both of their star centers. Then Rutherford took it one step further Tuesday, throwing captain Quinn Hughes’ name into the fray.
“If we were going to completely start over, that means he goes,” Rutherford said about Hughes, whose 56 points this season are tied with Cale Makar of the Avalanche for most by an NHL defenseman. “And we’d like to figure out a way that he’s here forever.”
Simply, it’s mess in Vancouver, even after the Canucks secured a second straight win Monday night, 5-2 over the Blues in St. Louis.
But a resolution could be coming soon. Reportedly the Canucks want to make at least one trade before the 4 Nations Face-off in February. The NHL trade deadline is March 7.
As Dreger pointed out, Rutherford “has a reputation for getting things done early.”
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