This Week in CanucksLand: J.T. Miller Traded—What’s Next for Vancouver?
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Now it’s time to get into this week in CanucksLand.
The Canucks hit the road for three games this week, starting with a 5-2 win over the Blues. Conor Garland and Kevin Lankinen led the charge, showing what this team is capable of when off-ice drama isn’t dragging them down. Their next matchup against the Predators saw them come out strong, controlling the game early. They slowed down in the second and third periods but managed to hang on for the win, securing their second victory of the week. The road trip ended in Dallas, where the Canucks fell 5-3 to the Stars. Despite plenty of chances, two empty-net goals sealed the loss. Without those, it could’ve been a different story, but they close the week with a respectable 2-1 record.
Along with the Canucks' trade, another major move shook the market this week. The Dallas Stars acquired Markus Granlund and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2025 1st-round pick and a conditional 4th-round pick. Granlund, originally acquired by the Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade, has been an offensive force. He put up 60 points in 69 games last season and continued his strong play this year with 45 points in 52 games. His playmaking ability is undeniable, but his lack of speed and defensive struggles could be an issue in Dallas. Ceci, on the other hand, has had a rough season. After being traded from the Oilers when the Blues made offer sheets on Broberg and Holloway, he has struggled on both ends of the ice, managing just 15 points in 54 games. Maybe a fresh start in Dallas will help, but his track record with his last two teams suggests otherwise. San Jose comes out on top here, securing a 1st-round pick and a conditional 4th-rounder without retaining salary. If Dallas makes the Stanley Cup Final, that 4th-round pick upgrades to a 3rd-rounder, which could give the Sharks an extra shot at a late-round steal. The Sharks won this trade—Dallas overpaid for two players, only one of whom has legitimate upside. Unless Granlund proves to be a game-changer, this move feels like an overreach for a team hoping to contend.
After months of speculation, the Canucks finally made their move. J.T. Miller is heading to the Rangers, and Vancouver quickly flipped the first-round pick they received to acquire Marcus Pettersson from the Penguins. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, the Canucks have options—they can either buy and push for the playoffs or sell and retool for next season. Making these moves before the deadline was the right call. It gives the team time to adjust and evaluate how they perform without Miller before deciding their next steps. Personally, I believe Vancouver can still make a push, even with Miller gone, and should look to buy at the deadline. If they decide to buy, their biggest need is a Top-6 forward. A player like Brock Nelson could be a great addition, but it depends on whether he's available and what the trade package would look like. Dylan Cozens has also been linked to Vancouver, but his asking price could be too high unless the Canucks are willing to part with a top prospect or a key NHL player. Vancouver could trade their first-round pick and a prospect for Nelson, but if the price is too steep, they might be better off moving Sawyer Mynio or Danila Klimovich instead of a top-tier asset. Another key decision revolves around Kevin Lankinen. If he re-signs soon or in the offseason, Arturs Silovs could become a trade piece. With Tolopilo playing well in Abbotsford and Jiri Patera available as a backup, Silovs could be moved to help strengthen another area of the roster. While trading him isn't a must, it might be better for his development to get a bigger role elsewhere. If the Canucks fail to turn things around, they should sell at the deadline. Brock Boeser and Kevin Lankinen would be the two biggest trade chips, while Pius Suter is another name to consider moving. However, keeping Suter might be the smarter play for depth reasons. If they do sell, the focus should be on acquiring younger NHL-ready players and draft picks while preparing to add key free agents in the offseason. Overall, I’m hopeful for the Canucks, but they may have to lose some well-liked and valuable players to set themselves up for a stronger playoff push next season.
This week has been eventful, and I’m excited to see what happens next. This season already feels historic for the Vancouver Canucks, and the moves they make from here could make or break their playoff hopes. The Sharks secured a solid package in their trade and may still use their new 1st-round pick to make another move. The Canucks, meanwhile, had a strong week, going 2-1 and staying competitive in the Western Conference playoff race. Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank J.T. Miller for his time in Vancouver. He was one of the most passionate players on the ice, a clutch performer in big moments, and a key part of this team. Even with the off-ice drama, he will be missed in Vancouver. Thank you for reading my first weekly article! Be sure to check out my YouTube channel for my first video, and you can find me on other platforms under the username CanucksLand.
See you next week in CanucksLand!