In the latest episode of 32 Thoughts with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the spotlight was on the Vancouver Canucks and their recent trade moves. Friedman, who initially broke the news that the Canucks were sending forward J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on Friday night, provided further insight into the deal.
According to Friedman, tensions between Miller and Elias Pettersson led to a players-only meeting during Vancouver’s early-season road trip to Florida in mid-October. While the specific players involved in the discussion weren’t disclosed, the focus was on encouraging the two to mend their relationship for the team’s sake.
Despite these efforts, the situation between Miller and Pettersson didn’t improve significantly, leading Miller to take a month-long leave of absence. When he returned in mid-November, the Canucks had already decided to move him at some point during the season.
Friedman’s report contradicts earlier claims from The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal, who stated in December that the Canucks had no intention of trading Miller and that the player himself wasn’t seeking a move. However, Vancouver ultimately dealt Miller to the Rangers in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a protected 2025 first-round pick. That pick was quickly flipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins later that night in a trade for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.
Currently, the Canucks sit at 23-18-11 after an overtime loss to the
, leaving them two points shy of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Given their precarious playoff position, their first-round pick carries significant value, as it could become a lottery selection by season’s end. Vancouver has reportedly informed teams that they won’t move their first-round pick unless they feel secure in a playoff spot by the trade deadline. Last season, they already parted with their 2024 first-rounder in the Elias Lindholm deal with Calgary, making 2021 the last year they made a first-round selection.
The Canucks’ playoff push may also affect captain Quinn Hughes’ availability for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. Hughes, who sustained a hand injury against the Dallas Stars, missed Vancouver’s most recent game, and the team is considering withdrawing him from Team USA’s roster to prioritize his recovery. Losing Hughes would be a significant setback for the Americans, but the Washington Capitals’ John Carlson stands as a logical replacement if needed.
