After remaining deafeningly quiet until the trade deadline, trade uncertainty surrounding the Canucks’ best trade chip, J.T. Miller, has created a significant upheaval.
Miller, who finished the season with 32 goals and 99 points, remains a valuable commodity as the draft approaches. According to reports, he wanted to play for the Rangers, Hurricanes, Devils, Capitals, and Blue Jackets.
Now that his departure has become a public spectacle, the Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations approached the transaction as if it were an auction. Furthermore, the Canucks have been unable to decide whether to keep him at his maximum commitment of US$5.250 million until the transfer window closes, extend him soon, or trade him now, risking a first-round draft pick in Montreal on Thursday.
According to The Athletic’s Thomas Drance, the Canucks recognize that keeping Miller without an extension beyond the next two to three weeks is a huge risk. Furthermore, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculated that there is no guarantee Miller will be traded because it only takes one phone call to change the course of a negotiation, which appears unlikely in light of the current events.
Despite their intention of keeping Miller, the Canucks’ domestic pay scale is centered on key core players like Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. They have limit commitments of $7.85 million and $7.35 million in their extensions, including both.
Miller’s worth, teams in pursuit of him
Miller has been an excellent performer for the Canucks this season and has been a consistent forward since being drafted in 2019. He is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 99 points (32-67), finished ninth in league scoring, tied for third in power-play points with 38 (8-30), and led the Canucks in faceoff effectiveness (54.1 percent ).
So although the left-winger turns 30 in March, he has better equivalent career numbers to request at least US$8 million annually and the long term. It’s obvious that he’s hoping for a long deal that will keep him working until he’s in his mid-30s.
A similar event happened not long ago. Kevin Fiala, who had 85 points with the Minnesota Wild last season, was signed to a seven-year, $55.125 million contract by the Los Angeles Kings last week. In Fiala’s case, the Wild were able to acquire the 19th pick from Los Angeles this year, as well as Brock Faber, an excellent right-handed defense contender.
Last season, Fiala only had 85 points in 82 games, but he can play center, which is a valuable position. In the standings, Miller is currently ahead of Fiala. Regardless, the Canucks should be aware that Miller has a better recent production track record, with the only disadvantage being his age.
The Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers are both interested in Miller. The Rangers wanted Miller before the trade deadline and expected him to be a game-changer. However, according to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, New York’s refusal to include right-handed defender Braden Schneider in a Miller trade made negotiations with the Canucks difficult long before the trade deadline. Despite the fact that Miller fills the Forever Blueshirts’ cap space this season, signing him for only one year is prohibitively expensive.
The Capitals face uncertainty with center Nicklas Backstrom out indefinitely. Backstrom underwent hip replacement surgery and will need extensive rehabilitation. The Washington Capitals are reportedly interested in J.T. Miller to fill his vacancy. If Backstrom is unable to play again, which seems likely, the Capitals should be able to re-sign Miller to an extension.