Yahoo Sports The Latest Rumors On Vancouver Canucks Centers Elias Pettersson And J.T. Miller
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Trade speculation has dogged Vancouver Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller following reports two weeks ago of a rumored rift between the two. Both players denied any issues between them, but that hasn't stopped the media gossip.
Elliotte Friedman weighed in on the conjecture during Friday's 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. He pointed out colleague Iain MacIntyre's year-end interview with Canucks GM Patrik Allvin, where he didn't dismiss the possibility of trading Pettersson.
“Is (a trade) possible? I guess I would say anything is possible,” Allvin told Sportsnet, though he also praised Pettersson's abilities, expressing his belief that the 26-year-old can become the Canucks' top center.
Friedman felt the Canucks had spoken with other teams about Pettersson and Miller but preferred to retain both players. On Saturday, he said they've “definitely” looked at the trade market for the two centers, indicating three possible outcomes: retaining both, trading one or the other, or trading both.
The Hockey News' Adam Proteau said if the Canucks can't prove any rift between Miller and Pettersson is affecting play, they should attempt to trade Miller because Pettersson is younger, is yet to reach his prime and is under contract for longer.
Miller has a full no-movement clause in his contract. If he accepted a trade, Friedman believes it would be to an American club. That would put to rest a suggestion by Friedman's colleague Nick Kypreos of Miller as a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The New York Rangers have been linked to Miller. On Friday, CHEK-TV's Rick Dhaliwal appeared on Sportsnet 650's Halford and Brough Show claiming the two teams discussed “a lot of things, not just Miller.” Dhaliwal said the Canucks had been interested in Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere and defenseman K'Andre Miller for some time.
According to Friedman, the Rangers could be interested in acquiring Miller, who began his NHL career in New York. However, he doesn't believe it would be an easy move to pull off. He's skeptical about rumors of Miller going to the Blueshirts for center Mika Zibanejad and defenseman K'Andre Miller. Friedman felt if the Canucks wanted to make that move they would've done it by now, pointing out that Zibanejad also has a no-movement clause.
Friedman also suggested the Chicago Blackhawks should look into acquiring Miller. However, it's doubtful the 31-year-old center will want to join a rebuilding club. The same could go for the Anaheim Ducks and Elias Pettersson, but The Hockey News' Patrick Present noted a Pettersson trade could be one of the largest NHL deals since the San Jose Sharks acquired Erik Karlsson.
Related: Could A Rift Between Canucks' J.T. Miller And Elias Pettersson Lead To A Trade?
Meanwhile, The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner wondered if it were possible for the New York Islanders to acquire Pettersson and reunite him with former Canucks captain Bo Horvat. He thinks the Isles would have to offer up Noah Dobson, prospect Danny Nelson, and a first-round pick as part of the return. However, Friedman claimed the Canucks would want a center in a package deal.
The Hockey News' Canucks site editor Adam Kierszenblat said although the players have said there's not a major issue, the media rumors and speculation will continue. Having Pettersson and Miller come out and say they're working on their relationship to help the team succeed could help the situation.
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