Details have emerged of the nixed trade that nearly sent Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers.
Rangers center Filip Chytil, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and some future assets - including a first-round pick - could've been headed to Vancouver had the trade gone through, sources told The Athletic. Disagreement on the protection structure of the first-round pick reportedly proved to be a key hurdle in negotiations.
The Canucks reportedly nearly sat Miller on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers due to progressing trade discussions, but the deal fell through and the 31-year-old ultimately dressed. He collected two assists in Vancouver's 3-2 win.
Chytil, 25, has recorded 10 goals and eight assists in 37 games this season, primarily serving as New York's third-line center. He set career highs with 22 goals and 45 points in 2022-23. The 25-year-old is signed for two additional seasons with a $4.438-million cap hit.
Lindgren, 26, has been a staple on New York's top defense pair with Adam Fox for five campaigns. While once a defensive stalwart, his underlying numbers have cratered the last couple of seasons: His defensive goals above replacement is minus-2.7 since the start of 2023-24, per Evolving-Hockey. Lindgren is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $4.5-million cap hit.
The Canucks have reportedly explored the trade market for Miller and Elias Pettersson amidst an apparent rift between the two star centers. Pettersson has apparently told the team that he'd like to stay, and Vancouver's preference is to keep him.
Miller is signed through 2029-30 with an $8-million cap hit and a full no-movement clause. His agent said Miller hasn't requested a trade, but the Canucks have reportedly permitted some teams to speak with him.
Vancouver reportedly rejected a trade offer from New York earlier this campaign that would've seen Miller and Mika Zibanejad swap teams.
Miller has recorded eight goals and 23 assists in 35 games this season. He averaged 95 points per year over the last three campaigns, peaking at 103 points in 2023-24.
The Rangers drafted Miller 15th overall in 2011 and he spent parts of six seasons in the Big Apple. He also spent parts of two campaigns with the Tampa Bay Lightning before he was traded to Vancouver, where he broke out as one of the game's top forwards.
