After weeks of speculations, the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks have finally struck a trade deal. One that involves veteran forward, JT Miller. This trade does not come as a surprise, as the rumors have been targeting this trade. It looks as if the Rangers would like their number 15th draft pick back.
The Rangers are sending Centre Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a first-round pick to Vancouver. It has been reported that the first-round pick is one of the top 13 players protected for this upcoming draft. However, if it falls inside the top 13, Canucks will receive an unprotected first-round pick during the 2026 draft. The Canucks are to send defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom along with Miller.
The Canucks have been battling some on/off-ice drama surrounding Miller that has led to many speculations of trades. This drama has also caused the dynamic of the team to fall apart. Their performances on the ice are not up to their true abilities. Elias Pettersson, the other half of this drama, has also been tied to a few teams for a potential trade. It is unknown if he will be traded now that Miller is heading to New York.
Miller has been a key player for the Canucks for the last six seasons. Last season, he played in 81 games, scoring 37 goals and 66 assists. He recorded an average of 19:29 on the ice per game. He has been versatile on the ice, providing great offensive and defensive plays. Miller has dealt with an injury that kept him from 10 games this season. In the 40 games he has played this season, he has nine goals and 26 assists.
However, even though Millers performance has been off lately, he will provide a third veteran presence for the Rangers. Players like Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad signed in for the next four years, and the three will give the needed stability.
The other two players joining Miller in New York are Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom. Dorrington has not played for the Canucks, at this time he is still playing NCAA Hockey at Northeastern University. The defenseman has played in 23 games with two goals and eight assists.
Brannstrom has played 28 games for the Canucks this season with three goals and five assists. He spent six seasons playing with the Ottawa Senators before Colorado signed him as a free agent. During the offseason, Colorado traded him to Vancouver.
Centre Chytil is in his seventh season in the NHL; he will be replacing Millers role on the Canucks. He has played in 41 games this season with 11 goals and nine assists, averaging 14:04 per game. Chytil has had some concerns with prior concussions and injuries. He will likely increase his ice time while playing in Vancouver. These injuries have caused him to miss significant time and 72 games in the previous season. His new contract has him signed until the end of the 2025-2026 season, where he will become an UFA.
Defenseman Mancini is in his second season in the NHL. He has played in 15 games for the Rangers, with one goal and four assists. He has spent the majority of the season at the AHL Hartford. He will likely be one of their top choices to recall if injuries occur in the future.
This trade has its pros and cons. Vancouver took a below-market return, yet they are not riddled with inner team drama. Time will tell how well this trade will pay off on both sides.
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