The Vancouver Canucks finally completed the much-anticipated trade of veteran forward J.T. Miller, sending him to the New York Rangers on Friday night. In return, Vancouver received Filip Chytil, prospect Victor Mancini, and a top-13 protected first-round pick in 2025. The trade sparked mixed reactions, but Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin defended the return.
“On behalf of the entire Canucks organization, I want to thank J.T. for his time in Vancouver,” Allvin said in a statement. “J.T. was a passionate impact player and a good leader for our team. Moving him was not an easy decision, but we are pleased with our return from the Rangers. Both Filip and Victor are strong additions, and we look forward to seeing their contributions on the ice.”
The trade had been expected after Canucks president Jim Rutherford revealed a strained relationship between Miller and Elias Pettersson in an interview with The Globe and Mail earlier in the week. With Vancouver needing to move one of its top two forwards, the team lost leverage in negotiations, according to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh.
Miller, originally drafted by the Rangers in 2011, had control over his destination due to a no-movement clause, further strengthening New York’s position in trade talks. “Even with their flaws, the Rangers are still a destination for players, drama earlier this season be damned,” Baugh wrote.
The Rangers had been in discussions with Vancouver for weeks, and an earlier deal reportedly fell apart at the last minute. Their leverage increased when the Carolina Hurricanes chose to acquire Mikko Rantanen instead of Miller or Pettersson on January 24, leaving New York with fewer competitors for Miller’s services.
Vancouver immediately took the ice against the Dallas Stars after finalizing the trade, suffering a 5–3 loss—their first defeat in four games.
