Throughout Hockey Night time in Canada’s 32 Ideas section on Saturday, Elliotte Friedman shared some intriguing details about the Vancouver Canucks, particularly J.T. Miller and the commerce deadline. The Sportsnet insider mentioned that Miller is garnering some curiosity across the NHL and groups are calling asking about the price of buying him earlier than March 3.
As a fellow author right here at THW mentioned once we talked in regards to the Friedman report, “I assumed after they signed him to that extension the commerce articles would cease.” I responded, “I assume while you’re the Canucks and the group doesn’t have a transparent route, something is feasible.” That appears to be the case in Vancouver the place anybody not named Elias Pettersson continues to be probably obtainable in the appropriate deal.
Why Would The Canucks Commerce Miller?
Contemplating the group simply signed him to a seven-year extension price a whopping $56 million, one would assume this is a sign the group could be seeking to maintain Miller round. Then once more, the group is missing focus and route and is rumored to be a significant vendor on the deadline. It’s not clear in the event that they’re going to retool or make “hockey trades” to reshape their roster, however one thing’s obtained to provide.
In terms of Miller, Friedman mentioned, “There’s been lots of speak about his scenario.” He added, “I don’t know the place that is gonna go, and there’s an opportunity it won’t go anyplace, however I do assume groups have known as the Canucks and simply mentioned, ‘if we wished to do that, what would you consider right here?’ So we’ll see the place that goes.”
This Is The Time To Make a Deal
If the Canucks want to transfer Miller, now could be the time to take action. He’s within the closing 12 months of his present contract and it’s one which lacks commerce safety. This deadline is likely one of the few alternatives the Canucks must transfer Miller’s contract to a group that may be determined for assist at middle, the place the market is scaling down after trades that noticed Bo Horvat go to the New York Islanders and Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari head to Toronto. The commerce deadline is the place groups make intriguing selections — not all the time the good ones — and a GM may tackle Miller’s deal, together with the seven years that come after this one.
Miller is within the final 12 months of his present contract that carries a $5.25 million AAV. As soon as it will increase to $8 million, his full no-move clause kicks in. That’s good till the top of the 2026-27 season when a modified no-trade clause turns into an element and on July 1, 2027. At that time, the participant submits a 15-team no-trade record when requested.
Who May Be Occupied with Miller?
Regardless of the very fact the commerce deadline shines a lightweight on the desperation of sure GMs, that is going to be a tricky promote for the Canucks. Miller is a stable participant, however the Canucks received’t be prepared to retain wage on any deal (not for seven seasons) and a group must imagine Miller (and the drama that he typically brings with him) is price $8 million per season. There are solely a handful of groups that may in all probability contemplate this.
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Beneath are a number of potentialities:
Pink Wings May Lose Dylan Larkin
The Detroit Pink Wings could possibly be an suitor if issues with Dylan Larkin don’t pan out. The 2 sides are embroiled in a contract negotiation that reportedly isn’t going very effectively. There was speak the Pink Wings might need preferred Bo Horvat, however he’s off the market and if Larkin walks in free company, the Pink Wings will want a substitute. They’ve the cap house to make this type of transfer. So too, if the Pink Wings keep within the playoff hunt, Miller turns into a pleasant addition this season.
Steve Yzerman is constructing his group to start out profitable. Miller could possibly be part of that push over the subsequent few seasons.
Jets Are In The Playoff Combine, However Dubois’ Future Unclear
May the Winnipeg Jets be a match for Miller? One would think about so if Pierre Luc-Dubois is in the end headed elsewhere. On the similar time, a few of their key facilities are getting older and Mark Schiefele solely has two seasons remaining on his present deal. The Jets are a stable group that’s seeking to compete. Including Miller for his or her playoff push would have an enormous profit, however they may have a use for him on a long-term deal after this season ends.
Did Horvat Do Sufficient for the Islanders?
Would the New York Islanders pull the set off on two huge trades by the identical deadline? It appears odd to think about however the Islanders haven’t precisely been on hearth since Horvat arrived and he’s barely helped their push towards the playoffs. They at the moment sit within the second Wild Card spot however factors by both Florida or Washington might boot them out of their place.
The Islanders nonetheless have over $8.7 million in deadline cap house to play with and the group might look to reshape his roster through the summertime if GM Lou Lamoriello feels he’s obtained too many facilities. Miller can all the time play the wing. Would Lou go all-in and add Miller too within the hopes that the mix of those two gamers could be sufficient?
