Canucks Decision on Miller & Pettersson Revealed

The Vancouver Canucks are facing a tough decision that could reshape their future, and it looks like J.T. Miller might be the one packing his bags.

League insiders say the Canucks are listening to offers for both Miller and Elias Pettersson, but there’s a clear favorite when it comes to who might be traded first.

“There’s a sense league-wide that J.T. Miller is the more likely to be moved,” says TSN’s Chris Johnston.

Miller’s situation is pretty interesting. While he’s got a no-movement clause in his contract, word is he’d be willing to waive it for the right opportunity. That’s huge news for teams looking to add a top forward.

The math just makes more sense with Miller. At 31, he’s five years older than Pettersson, who’s just hitting his prime at 26.

Then there’s the money factor. Pettersson’s massive $11.6 million salary cap hit would be really tough for most teams to handle mid-season. Plus, he’s the kind of player you typically want to build around, not trade away.

The Canucks’ decision is actually causing a bit of a traffic jam in the NHL trade market. Teams are basically sitting on their hands, waiting to see what Vancouver does.

“There’s certainly a sense out there I’d say that this is holding things up,” Johnston explains.

It’s easy to see why. Whoever leaves Vancouver – Miller or Pettersson – would instantly become the biggest name available. Teams don’t want to make other moves until they know how this plays out.

The Canucks have been in the rumor mill all season, but they haven’t pulled the trigger on any major deals yet. That patience might be about to pay off.