The fallout from the reported trade discussions between the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers involving J.T. Miller continues to draw attention. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman initially revealed the failed trade, and a subsequent report by The Athletic has shed more light on the proposed package and the reasons the deal collapsed.
According to The Athletic, the Rangers offered a package centered around center Filip Chytil, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and a first-round pick. However, negotiations broke down over disagreements regarding the protection of the draft pick. “One source briefed on the trade talks indicated that a disagreement on the protection structure of a first-round pick was a key hurdle,” the report noted. The Athletic also described the potential return as “relatively meager,” considering Miller’s value.
Adding intrigue to the situation, Rick Dhaliwal suggested that scratches of Hartford Wolfpack players (Adam Sykora, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, and Jaroslav Chmelar) may have been tied to these trade discussions, although The Athletic could not confirm this link.
Filip Chytil, a 25-year-old center with 18 points in 37 games this season, was among the Rangers’ first-round picks named in the discussions. His inclusion could have addressed Vancouver’s need for long-term center depth. Meanwhile, Ryan Lindgren, a 26-year-old defenseman and reliable partner to Adam Fox on New York’s top pairing, has posted 11 points in 41 games. However, Lindgren is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
On the Canucks’ side, J.T. Miller remains a valuable asset, recording 31 points in 35 games this season. However, his $8 million annual cap hit and full no-move clause complicate trade scenarios. According to a league source speaking to The Athletic, “the deal didn’t get close enough for Miller to be formally asked to waive his no-trade clause.”
The failed trade highlights the complexities of negotiating significant deals involving high-salary players and draft protections, leaving the Canucks and Rangers to explore other options.
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