Vancouver Canucks Drama Sparks Rumors of Maple Leafs Trade for JT Miller
Could star foward J.T. Miller find his way from the Vancouver Canucks to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
J.T. Miller has been linked out of the Vancouver Canucks throughout the season, with the 31-year-old Miller seemingly on the trade market with teams interested in his services.
NHL Insider and Analyst Nick Kypreos reported that it seems the animosity between Miller and fellow Canucks star Elias Pettersson makes it difficult to envision the two continuing together on the same team.
Don't be surprised if we start hearing the Canucks are willing to take calls on Miller
Elliotte Friedman recently said on Sportsnet 590 that while the Canucks are open to trading J.T. Miller if it comes down to it, but the belief is that they'd rather the two work out the locker room issues.
I just think...When the Canucks had the year they did last year, and they got to the second round of the playoffs i really think they believed they thought all this drama was over, and everybody would see what it would be like when all ores were rowing in the same direction and see how good they can be, and I think they've been really surprised by how this is has gone, and I don't even think.
In their eyes it's so much about choosing one over the other, it's about I cannot believe we still have to deal with this.
I believe everybody knows that Vancouver is open to listening, I believe they have already on both players and will continue to do so, 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. - Elliotte Friedman
Could The Toronto Maple Leafs Swoop In For JT Miller?
On 'Leafs Morning Take' hosts Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill said they'd trade Morgan Rielly to the New York Rangers to acquire JT Miller.
Miller has six goals and 24 points in 26 games with Vancouver this season.
If either team would make this sort of trade is hard to see happening.
Toronto still needs a first pairing defender as much, if not more, than a 3C, especially one in a spat with a fellow top player publicly.
Although Miller would fill a hole for Toronto who are looking for a forward, he comes with risks.
Miller is making $8M a season until 2030, while seemingly on the downswing as he enters his 30's, and in a public feud with his star teammate, all things many teams already known to be interested in him have to evaluate.
Moving Rielly, by all accounts a top character in the Toronto Maple Leafs dressing room, for a forward in a public spat with a fellow star player who can't get along with him, and under contract long-term seems to be a burden more so a recipe for success.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need a talented forward to add via trade for this season, but J.T. Miller comes with the baggage of what's transpired with him, and he's going to be costly to get rid of if things continued in Toronto.
