J.T Miller to the Rangers
The Canucks have made their decision sending J.T Miller to the Rangers on friday night. J.T Miller left Dallas shorlty before the game between the Stars choosing to waive his NMC to head to New York. The Canucks also sent Defencemen Erik Brannstrom and 20 year-old prospect defenceman Jackson Dorrington to the Rangers. Erik Brannstrom joined the team earlier this year in a Trade with Colorado in exchange for Tucker Poolman and a 2025 4th-round pick. Jackson Dorrington was Drafted #176th overall by Vancouver Canucks in 2022.
The Canucks aquired Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a Protected 1st round pick in 2025. Filip Chytil is the main piece of this deal, He has 11 goals and 9 assist combining for 20 points in 40 games so far this season. At the age of 25 years old he still has more time to blossum into a 2nd line center for the Canucks. He is Currently on the 2nd year of a $4,437,500 deal. Victor Mancini is a 22 year old defence prospect who has split time between the NHL and AHL this year. He put up 5 points in 15 games and 10 points in 20 games respectivly. The 1st-round pick in 2025 is top 13 protected, if it lands in the top 13 the Canucks will get the Rangers 2026 1st-round pick unprotected.
Miller spent 6 seasons with the Canucks putting up 437 points in 404 games making him the second player to depart the team on a point per game average, He currently has 35 points in 40 games with the club this season. He is on year 2 of his $8 million dollar contract.
The Canucks Save 3,562,500 million dollars in this deal. Which opens up more room for a rental to help them if they make a push for the playoffs. If they miss the playoff it along with the news that the cap will go up a significant amount gives the canucks room to resign Boeser if the don’t trade him aswell at the deadline.
In my opinion the trade might not have been needed, but the Canucks felt different. The Canucks knew they would not get a great return on the deal and that is shown here. Although I think the same if this cap space helps resign Boeser I can live with the trade Jonathan Lekkermakki might take a big step next year and if Nils Hoglander regains his form from last year the top 6 for the Canucks can still be servicable for a contender. Although I do think the Canucks need to find a way to aquire another top 6 maybe even 1st line foward if they want to make a step towards the cup next season.