The Vancouver Canucks still find themselves in a very stressful situation. The drama between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller has become such mainstream news that it almost forces them to make a move. The big question that still looms large is: will it be Miller or Pettersson? If it were Miller, there would likely be more than a dozen teams calling the Canucks in an attempt to acquire him. With that in mind, let’s explore three teams that could offer the Canucks something and be among Miller’s top trade destinations.
Chicago Blackhawks Have Connor Bedard
The Chicago Blackhawks are a team with a future in place but, outside of Connor Bedar, lacks high-end talent. If they were able to acquire Miller from the Canucks, it would give them a star forward to play alongside their franchise player. It would also help to fast-track the Blackhawks’ rebuild and get them into playoff contention.
Miller is also a known leader, which could help bring the young core of players together and set them up to win.
Does he want to go there? He’s going to have to be convinced that a place like Chicago is the right fit or that playing with Bedard has better benefits than being a contender immediately.
Miller Has a History with the New York Rangers
It has been widely speculated that the New York Rangers are interested in re-acquiring Miller. He was drafted by the organization in 2011 and spent parts of seven seasons with them before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, much like the Canucks, the Rangers have had a very challenging season.
They are also heading into a major shakeup, so it makes sense that they would work out a blockbuster trade with the Canucks to acquire Miller. He could step back into their locker room and bring a fresh voice alongside Vincent Trocheck as the Rangers look to turn their season around.
Carolina Hurricanes Have the Right Coach for Miller
The Carolina Hurricanes are the wild card in the mix. Miller fits the mold of their organization from top to bottom. More specifically, he would fit perfectly under head coach Rod Brind’Amour. They are both intense individuals who give their all in every game.
The deal would work well for both sides—the Hurricanes have a ton of NHL-level defensemen, and the Canucks need help on the back end. Miller would join the likes of Sebastian Aho on their top line and help the Hurricanes in their quest for the Stanley Cup.
