The Vancouver Canucks turn down franchise altering trade

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Matt Garland
March 4, 2023 (9:46)

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The 2023 NHL trade deadline has passed and will go down as one of the quieter days in the last few years. Many insiders had a hunch this would
be the case, general managers around the league didn't wait until the final day to take care of business. Fans have been treated to a flurry of trade activity for the last couple weeks.

The biggest name to move yesterday was defender John Klingberg. The Anaheim Ducks traded him to the Minnesota Wild in in exchange for defenseman Andrej Sustr, the rights to forward Nikita Nesterenko and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Anaheim retained 50% of Klingberg's salary.

One player who is used to having his name in the rumour mill is Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller. General Manager Patrick Allvin was taking calls on the 29 year old leading up to the deadline.

Vancouver was looking for two first-round picks (or equivalent value) in any deal for Miller.

Through 60 games with the Canucks this season, Miller has collected 20 goals and 54 points. He is signed through the end of the 2029�30 season at an $8 million cap hit.

Insider Darren Dreger reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins were calling on Miller and tabled an offer that enticed the Canucks but they ultimately decided to pass on it.

The Penguins, through desperation, [Hextall] had lines in the water everywhere. Including taking a hard run at J.T. Miller, a hard run,» Dreger said. «Vancouver said we like the offer, we just can't take it because it was draft picks. We need a centreman, and frankly, we're not rebuilding in Vancouver, and JT Miller is going to be a big part of our future.

This another puzzling decision on a long list of bad ones lately by Vancouver management. The team is currently 19 points back of the final Wild card position. The Franchise is in the exact spot you don't want to be. Not good enough to make the playoffs and not bad enough to have a real great chance at the top selection. Unless you have been living under a rock this year's 1st overall pick is going to be a good one, franchise changing forward Connor Bedard.

If the rumoured offer was anything close to Vancouver's ask they should have jumped all over it. Draft picks are always a moveable commodity around the league. The Canucks management must be regretting not trading him last deadline when Miller was in the middle of his career high 99 point season.