J.T. Miller Reportedly Only Interested in a Trade to One Specific NHL Team, per Insider
One team is believed to be not only the frontrunner for Vancouver Canucks star J.T. Miller, but appears to be the only option on his mind.
J.T. Miller has been linked with a potential departure from the Vancouver Canucks as speculation swirls over his future and reported tensions between Miller and fellow Canucks star Elias Pettersson that has persisted from last season and continues now.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has reported that even though the Canucks are listening to talks on Miller, as well as on Pettersson, the hope is that both sides that can over their difficulties with one another.
But I still think that Vancouver's preference is that this works itself out, and both, for the lack of a better term, "grow up and figure out", because they realize these are hard trades to win."
Sportsnet analyst Nick Kypreos indicated that J.T. Miller has one destination in mind, the New York Rangers.
According to Kypreos, Miller would be willing to waive his no-move clause to head to New York with the Rangers and sees a deal centering about Miller for Mika Zibanejad being the likeliest scenario.
Reports have indicated Zibanejad has sought an out from New York, with a smaller market in mind.
Does J.T. Miller To The New York Rangers Seem To Be A Likely Match?
J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers would be a slam dunk if the numbers worked out, last season.
A year removed from winning the President's Trophy as the NHL's regular season points leader, the Rangers now find themselves out of the playoff picture, tied with the rival Islanders for last in the Metropolitan Division, but still five points back of the final wild card spot in a tight eastern race.
This season, Miller has six goals and 24 points in 26 games played with the Vancouver Canucks.
Zibanejad has seven goals and 22 points in 37 games this season. Both are 31-years-old.
The Rangers, signaling a potential reshuffling of their lineup after trading Captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and 2019 second overall pick Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken, haven't sold on their top assets.
Although they will be without Igor Shesterkin due to injury, further adding to their struggles this season leading to many more questions about their future roster.
The Canucks don't seem to feel a move is needed unless the situation between Miller and Pettersson truly reach a breaking point, but not even a winning season last year could mend things. It would take desperation to finally move on.
Vancouver does give Zibanejad a needed change of scenery, something that is seemingly being led up to. Miller could find himself out and wants the New York Rangers.
It seems a perfect fit is within grasp for two players needing to move on from their situations but factors still remain from making this trade scenario a perfect match, but one that has the potential to work out from both sides.
