Sleeper Contending Team Linked in J.T. Miller Trade Rumors

The popular belief is that if and when a J.T. Miller trade happens, it will be between the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. Not so fast, say a couple of trusted NHL insiders. The fact a trade fell apart between the Rangers and Canucks means the door has opened up, and another team, the Carolina Hurricanes, might be jumping into these discussions. As per reports, the Hurricanes could potentially become a sleeper team in a last-minute Miller trade.

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Elliotte Friedman reported during his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, “I had heard that Miller had asked for a trade, had finally said ‘Just get me out of here’, but that was denied to me.” He added, “A specific trade request was denied to me by several people.” He also noted that it wasn’t clear why things fell apart between the Rangers and Canucks.

It is not believed Miller stopped a trade. He appears open to going back to the Rangers. But would he be open to joining the Carolina Hurricanes?

Hurricanes Jumping Into These Miller Trade Discussions

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli shed some light on what he’s heard regarding the trade discussions. He explains:

“About how close it was, there was never a formal request from the Vancouver Canucks to J.T. Miller and his camp to waive their no-move clause. That said, I do think that the Miller camp, or at least Miller directly to the Canucks in conversation, had indicated that the New York Rangers would be a preferred destination. … but from a Ranger perspective, how close did it get…”

Seravalli adds that the Canucks were ready and willing to make a deal, and they have been for a couple of weeks now. As of today, Seravalli doesn’t think anything is imminent. He noted, “…this does give some other teams an ability to get involved, and in checking around, I had phrased the question this way, I said to one management group, ‘Where you involved in a J.T. Miller deal?’ and they said, ‘Oh is that past tense, huh?’

The suggestion is that their talks with the Canucks are not over, and they aren’t out of the mix on Miller.

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Noting that other teams have also called Vancouver, Seravalli said:

“…one team that I would keep a really close eye on, I’m not sure what they’re willing to pay in order to make it happen, but if you’re talking about a perfect fit or near perfect fit, keep an eye on the Carolina Hurricanes because I think J.T. Miller is a Rod Brind’Amour type player that would fit in perfectly, and that would add to them another dimension in the game breaker category that they kind of really just don’t have.”

Are the Rangers No Longer the Obvious Choice?

At this point, anything could happen with the Miller trade. Noting that Carolina might not have what the Canucks want — Seravalli mentioned Martin Necas but cited he’s not a center — the tougher part in trying to make it deal like that is to have something fit that Vancouver is really looking for. The Rangers have the same issue too, especially if they aren’t open to moving Braden Schneider.

Friedman even mentioned the Dallas Stars getting in on this and the New Jersey Devils had been linked in previous rumors.

Next: Penguins Prepping Major Roster Shake-Up Before Trade Deadline