Possible Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller trades have become a cottage industry among pundits on the weekend. Who are we not to peruse the possibilities? As implausible as any such trade is to be made, unseemly conjecture is one of sports fandom’s great assets. It’s our modern Academy debating math (statistical nit-pickery) and philosophy (What If…). There is unlikely to be a trade between management’s hesitation, the demand for a return, and the players themselves. It’s embarrassing enough that the spat broke out in public. Being the player who asked out carries its own baggage. With that known, are there any prospective transactions that make sense?
Patrik Allvin Shrugged Possible Pettersson, Miller Trades
Never mind the city’s name; “New Year, Same Drama” might be the text on the next Vancouver Canucks jersey. Everyone, including their pets, is sick of hearing about how and why the Canucks’ two top forwards do not get along. Captain Quinn Hughes discussed it literally weeks ago. Rick Tocchet, the head coach, did as well. Even the general manager, Patrik Allvin, mentioned it. We even discussed it on New Year’s Day, albeit obliquely.
Actually, the Allvin interview may not have been the best strategy to quell non-fabricated trade rumors. Sure, he mentioned trades are difficult, but he believes in the guys (paraphrasing somewhat) and wants to see the wounded players return. Which is understandable, given how frequently top-tier talent has been absent from the roster.
But if you want to put an end to the rumours, maybe don’t include the phrases “Well, you know Jim’s history” and “I guess I would say anything is possible” in your interview. With those inspiring words in our back pocket, let’s break down possible moves. It’ll be hard, but I’m sure we can cram something in there.
Wants and Needs
While Pettersson’s $11.6 million per season contract has begun, he won’t be able to get any trade protection until next season, so the Canucks have no legal recourse to send him anywhere they can get the best deal. The cap hit is a concern for managing his contract, but if a team is confident in his abilities, it’s not a problem.
Pettersson will be paid largely in bonuses this season and next, totaling $12 million and $10 million, respectively. Then, the potential labor disruption in 2026-27 is totally paycheque-based, with $5 million in bonus money each year until 2031-32. Expect the phrase “just in case” to change significantly. Pettersson’s due money has dropped to $8.7 million during the last three years.
Miller, on the other hand, has a full no-movement clause until 2027-28. If he’s going anyplace, he must agree to it. While his actual cash owing decreases over time, his paycheck does not include any bonus money in the final year. His 15-team no-trade clause will need to include someone prepared to pay $7 million in 2029-30 for Miller, who will be 36 at the time.
The Canucks have their own needs. Everyone understands they want a puck-carrying, middle-pair defenseman. However, if they move either of these two, they will look for a center as well. Preferably a right-handed person in each circumstance, but if wishes were horses, high schools would require stables.
Moving Miller
When it comes down to it, everybody who chooses Miller expects a complete transformation of their personality. Almost every team in the league that is close to the playoffs, including Vancouver, could use him. Teams in serious contention may do the same, but they are unlikely to give away the assets the Canucks desire. We have few options, so we’ll go with the one he’s most likely to agree to.
J.T. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers for Vincent Trocheck and William Borgen
Trocheck would have to agree to the transaction as well because he has a no-move clause. According to all sources, Miller enjoyed his time with the Rangers and would gladly return there. Without knowing Trocheck’s intentions, let’s assume he’s pleased with the transfer to a playoff team.
Trocheck isn’t the physical player Miller is, and he hasn’t produced nearly as many points as Miller. But he is a very solid defensive player who produces enough points to fill the second-line spot that Vancouver recently vacated. Like Miller, he can play in any situation. Also, both are 31 years old.
The difference is that Miller has 75 goals and 210 points in his last 190 games with Vancouver. Trocheck has 58 goals and 165 points in 203 games for Manhattan. Money also has a significant impact here. Trocheck’s $5.625 million deal will end in 2028-29, one year earlier than Miller’s.
Borgen isn’t quite what Vancouver is looking for on the backend, but he could help this season. He just got his first point since joining the Rangers eight games ago, but that isn’t his main appeal. He can skate well enough to push the puck up and out of his own end, which is exactly what the Canucks need right now. Frankly, they could use it even if Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek return.
Borgen merely has one year left on his $2.7 million deal. He’ll get plenty of ice time to build his case for his next deal, and back on the west coast. If he squints hard enough, he might be able to recognize his old squad (The Seattle Kraken).
Pushing Pettersson
Miller may have trade protection, but the trade interest will remain with Pettersson. Many teams are working the phones since they don’t know where he’ll go. They want to know how interested Allvin is in relocating the ultra-talented, youthful center who has signed for the next eight years.
They should be. Pettersson started his career with 180 goals and 440 points in 441 games. He excels on both sides of the puck and spends a lot of time on special teams. His $11.6 million contract keeps him signed until he’s 33 years old, which is likely too early for any significant deterioration.
Elias Pettersson was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Noah Dobson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Casey Cizikas, and a 2025 first-round pick
The Islanders are in severe need of defencemen, which makes this transaction uncomfortable. They require assistance back there, and Vancouver is not the appropriate team to deliver it. However, when a talent like Pettersson is available, the specifics may be worked out later. The transaction is also far from ideal for Vancouver, as it would weaken their center position. Pageau is a good player, but not a second-line one.
The Canucks have other options with Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger, and Cizikas is in the deal to be waived. The Islanders also need some cap space, and his $2.5 million for two more seasons after this one isn’t helping. There’s a reason for the first-round pick being included.
Find buyers for Pageau and Cizikas, accept whatever offer is made, and move on. Everyone knows that Dobson is the true target here.
The Canucks have been in need of a second-line defenseman for years, and Hughes and Hronek’s absence emphasizes this. Dobson is New York’s top defender, and rightfully so. In Vancouver, he’ll be behind Hughes and his favorite partner, Hronek. And deservedly so.
It’s difficult to envision how much difference Dobson on the blue line would make to Vancouver’s offense. He is more than simply a backup for injured players; he is a great defenseman in his own right. The Canucks would be able to sustain attacks for 40 minutes each night. Having him accessible when Hughes and Hronek have exhausted their opponents? It’s game on!
It’s also not a big deal to figure out who to match him with. To be honest, you could pair him with anyone. Adam Pelech and Alexander Romanov have been his most frequent partners for the past three seasons. Dobson earned 28 goals and 139 points in 197 games despite being a solid player and not an attacking stalwart.
Imagining the Impossible Pettersson and Miller Trades
If either of these two players is traded, the Vancouver Canucks will undergo significant changes. That is the primary reason why they are unlikely to occur, particularly in the middle of the season. However, we know that this is not a management team that will hesitate. They aren’t scared to move on from players or take major risks for the future.
Part of imagining deals is simply enjoying the narrative they tell outside of the sport. Does traveling to New York twice for these trades feel like cheating? Okay, so be it. The story of Miller returning to the Rangers as a considerably stronger player than when he left is poetic. Pettersson and Bo Horvat were reunited after being pushed aside by Miller. That Miller and Pettersson would end up side by side?
