The Vancouver Canucks are facing a challenging reality as teams could be low-balling them with "buy low" trade offers for forward J.T. Miller.
NHL insider Nick Kypreos appeared on Friday's episode of the "Donnie and Dhali" show and reported that rival clubs, aware of Vancouver’s softened demands, are trying to capitalize on the situation by pushing for a "buy-low" deal.
"Everybody wants to buy low. We'll see whether or not the Vancouver Canucks are adamant about teams asking to get a discount when it comes to (Miller's) salary or retaining (part of it), but they’re getting nickel and dimed right now,” Kypreos said. ”(Canucks President Jim) Rutherford wants to deal with this and he wants it done and over with, but until he gets a deal that is acceptable, I think, we'll continue to watch this soap opera."
With the organization nearly a lock and eager to move on from Miller, opponents appear to be leveraging their position and trying to get the forward at a lower price than his talent would suggest.
Kypreos' comments follow a report from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, who revealed the Canucks have altered their approach in Miller trade talks.
Although Vancouver seemed to be initially focused on acquiring win-now assets to keep their postseason hopes alive, the Canucks are now willing to accept futures-focused packages, including draft picks and prospects.
“One thing the Canucks have sort of changed their tune on…they said, ‘We need apples for apples.’ They’ve relented a bit on that,” LeBrun said. "They would do a futures deal when it comes to making a deal with a contender."
According to The Athletic, the Rangers offered center Filip Chytil, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and a first-round pick to the Canucks in the only reported deal including particular names.
On Thursday's "32 Thoughts" column, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported a similar (but not exact) package, mentioning "Filip Chytil, a first-rounder, and a prospect," without including Lindgren.
The Athletic already labeled the Rangers package as “relatively meager,” and if Kypreo's information is right then Vancouver shouldn't expect anything much better to arrive at its table.
