January 12th, 2025
Alex Rickman
With every passing day, it feels like the odds of the Canucks trading either Elias Pettersson or JT Miller increase. Reports of interest from a variety of parties are swirling, and it’s beginning to feel as if the front office has either accepted that the alleged relationship problems between the two players are too far gone to repair, or even that the return one of these players could fetch would be of more benefit to the team in the long term than keeping them both.
But what might the Canucks be able to fetch should they part with one of their elite centres? Right now, between their contracts and the general unpredictability of the market leading up to the trade deadline, it’s difficult to know exactly what the Canucks would be able to get. However, what we can do is take a look around the league and attempt to pick out some teams who could potentially be players in the market for Petey and Miller, and take a look at what assets they have that may be of interest to the Canucks. Let’s go from organization to organization and see which players, picks, and prospects could make their way to Vancouver in the event Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal.
Boston Bruins
While nobody in Canucks nation wants to see Boston acquire one of our key players, it would appear that the Bruins are at least kicking tires on a move for Miller or Pettersson. Presumably aiming to get younger, Pettersson in particular could make sense to go rejoin former Canucks teammates Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov in Beantown. But do the Bruins have the assets to pull it off?
Players
The Bruins don’t exactly have the youngest roster in the NHL, which could hurt their chances at swinging a trade with Vancouver, who by all reports want a young centre as a key piece of the return in a deal. While centres like Trent Frederic and Pavel Zacha could be of some interest to Vancouver, middle six centres in their mid-twenties are far from the young centres the Canucks would want a deal to be centred around, and 23-year-old John Beecher seems to be destined for a future in the bottom six.
On defence, meanwhile, players like Mason Lohrei or Brandon Carlo could be of interest to a Vancouver team in need of some reinforcements on the backend but are definitely not the kind of pieces a deal of this sort could be built around. Some in Vancouver may hope to see playoff fan favourite Nikita Zadorov return to BC as part of a hypothetical deal. However, it’s hard to justify going out and spending big on a player the team just let walk in free agency. As fun a reunion would be, it’s best to leave the memories of Playoff Z as just that; memories.
Prospects
To be frank, the Bruins have one of the weakest prospect pools in the NHL. Matthew Poitras has shown some promise at the NHL level, but remains less impressive of an option than other prospects who may be available from other potential suitors. 2024 first-round pick Dean Letourneau is another intriguing piece but has struggled in his first season of NCAA hockey. Former Vancouver Giant Fabian Lysell has also shown some promise, but as a winger, is not the young centre the Canucks reportedly want to be the focal point of a deal and is not the type of blue-chip prospect who could potentially be too enticing to turn down even if he isn’t a centre.
Picks
The Bruins have firsts in each of the next three drafts, seconds in 2026 and 2027, and third-round picks in 2025 and 2026. While better than what some teams have, the Bruins aren’t exactly drowning in draft capital either, and with their weak prospect pool may be tempted to keep as many of their picks as they can.
Ultimately, unless the Canucks are truly enamoured with a player like Poitras or Letourneau to a surprising degree, or the market for Pettersson and Miller is significantly quieter than expected, it’s hard to imagine Boston putting together a suitable package. Never say never, but Canucks fans who fear the idea of one of our stars ending up in Boston can be relieved by Boston’s lack of young talent tempting enough to sway Vancouver into a deal.
Buffalo Sabres
A mere couple of weeks ago when the idea of trading Miller or Pettersson seemed entirely out of the question, Elliotte Friedman posed a hypothetical deal to send Elias Pettersson to Buffalo in exchange for Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram. Seen as ridiculous by many Canucks fans at the time, could something like this end up coming true in the near future?
Players
In stark contrast to a Bruins roster that lacks a clear player who could be of major interest to the Canucks, the Sabres have a few interesting options. From the aforementioned Cozens and Byram, both of whom have no shortage of upside, to pieces like Jiri Kulich, Zach Benson, and Owen Power, the Sabres have a roster filled with young talents who could be of interest to the Canucks front office. Kulich and Cozens in particular match the young centre description that Vancouver seems to be looking for, so may well turn into the focal point of a blockbuster deal.
Beyond Kulich and Cozens, Owen Power and Bowen Byram could be viewed as long-term solutions to addressing the Canucks defensive woes. Power’s size would almost certainly be of interest to a Canucks staff who view size as critical to building a good defence, while a strong puck mover like BC’s own Bowen Byram would be a breath of fresh air on a blue line that struggles to make a clean pass when Quinn Hughes isn’t on the ice. Speaking of BC boys, a lot of Canucks fans were upset when Allvin selected Tom Willander over the Langley native. Maybe the Canucks could bring the young winger home and end up with both of them in the organization.
Prospects
In addition to a litany of young roster players, the Sabres have a strong prospect pool. Currently putting up respectable numbers with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, Konsta Helenius’ well-rounded game could make him of interest to the Canucks at the ever-important centre position. Or, if the Canucks wish to target another Swedish centreman, the dynamic Noah Östlund could find himself en route to Vancouver as a key part of a return.
On the defensive end, Maxim Strbak’s blend of size and dynamic play gives him a rare tool chest that would appeal to any team, especially one looking to build a stronger defence. Currently plying his trade with the Michigan State Spartans, the 19-year-old Slovak has a bright future ahead of him, and it would certainly be nice for that future to be in blue and green.
Picks
Buffalo currently have their first, second, and third-round picks in each of the next three drafts.
While it remains to be seen what it would take to pry some of these young pieces away from Buffalo, it’s hard not to be enticed by some of the young talent they have around. While Friedman’s proposed Pettersson for Cozens and Byram swap would be hard to justify for Vancouver, another asset or two coming from the Sabres could make for an appealing package for the Canucks.
Carolina Hurricanes
After being linked to a Pettersson trade last season before he signed his contract extensions, could the Hurricanes once again emerge as a potential suitor for Pettersson? Or perhaps could a move for a player like JT Miller appeal to them?
Players
In my ideal offseason article a few months back, I had the Canucks swinging a trade to acquire Martin Necas. Could this dream become a reality now? Necas was allegedly brought up as a potential part of a return during the Pettersson trade talks last season, so it’s not too far-fetched to assume that his name could once again be thrown around as part of a trade package. The Canes may be hesitant to move the Czech winger during a breakout season, but if Rutherford and Allvin can find a way to pry Necas away from Carolina, that would be a huge acquisition for an organization struggling to find a way to extend Brock Boeser.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s name was also brought up as a player whose name may have been involved in trade talks last year. While Kotkankiemi is a solid middle-six option down the middle and plays effective two-way hockey, the remaining term on his contract and his middling offensive production don’t make him the most appealing option. He’s far from a bad player, but would be more the throw-in type than a player a deal could ever be anchored around. On the defensive side, a reunion with former Canuck Jalen Chatfield could be an interesting option.
Prospects
For a contending team, the Hurricanes have a surprisingly strong prospect pool. On defence, they have two players who could appeal to the Canucks. In Scott Morrow, the Canes have a near-NHL-ready right-shot puck mover. In Alexander Nikishin, they have one of the KHL’s best defencemen with a tool chest that gives him the potential to be one of the best in the NHL. Nikishin’s KHL contract is set to expire this offseason, which will allow him to make the jump to North America, so should he be involved in a swap, he would most likely be able to join the Canucks ahead of next season. Either Morrow or Nikishin would immediately be among the best prospects in the Canucks system, even overtaking Tom Willander as the team’s top defensive prospect.
As for forwards, the Canes don’t really have a centre prospect who jumps off the page as the guy the Canucks would target, but they do have some wingers who could pique Vancouver’s interest. One of few bright spots on a massively disappointing World Junior team for Canada, Bradly Nadeau’s dangerous shot and equally dangerous hands could give him a bright future in a teams top six. Sweden’s Felix Unger Sörum and his elite passing and hockey IQ also make for an appealing prospect, and with the Canucks history Swedish players, maybe they look to bring in another Swede to fill in for the possible absence of Elias Pettersson.
Picks
Carolina have a first and a second round pick in each of the next three drafts. They also have two thirds in 2025, as well as a third in 2027.
The lack of a clear-cut centre for the Canucks to target could hinder the Canes ability to acquire Pettersson or Miller, but if Vancouver are willing to compromise on that and target other assets instead, Carolina could be able to put together a very interesting package. For a team who have had defensive woes like the Canucks have for years, the prospect of adding someone like Morrow or Nikishin could be hard to turn down.
Chicago Blackhawks
No, the Canucks could not get Connor Bedard in exchange for Miller or Pettersson, don’t get your hopes up. However, after years of ineptitude, could the Hawks have accumulated enough assets to make a big splash and add another top centre to partner with their star boy from North Vancouver?
Players
The Blackhawks' roster is borderline depressing to look at, so finding pieces on their active roster for the Canucks to target who aren’t named Connor Bedard is no simple task. Rangey defenceman Alex Vlasic, whose 6’6 frame would instantly appeal to this coaching staff, could be one of few roster players worth a look from Vancouver. Vlasic has the potential to be a solid shutdown defenceman for a long time, so maybe he’s a player who the Canucks look at as a key part of a package from Chicago.
Beyond Vlasic, there aren’t really any young players who the Canucks would target, but maybe a veteran like Teuvo Teravainen or Connor Murphy could be of interest as a piece to help make the salaries work while providing the Canucks with some value. Neither of these players are especially exciting options, but not every piece in a trade package is going to have fans jumping for joy, so someone like Teravainen or Murphy as a throw-in may have to be a part of a deal that also sees the Canucks acquiring more interesting assets.
Prospects
This is where the fun begins. One of my favourite young centres the Canucks could seek to land is Oliver Moore, a speedy, high-IQ prospect who fell to the Blackhawks with the 19th pick in the 2023 draft. I’ve been high on Moore’s potential since his draft year, so the idea of landing him is an exciting one. Beyond Moore, though, Frank Nazar presents an interesting option, and one who doesn’t run you the risk of an NCAA player choosing not to sign an ELC. 2024 first-round pick Sacha Boisvert also deserves mention, although he is further from being NHL-ready than either Moore or Nazar.
On defence, Artyom Levshunov is the Blackhawks prized prospect and may be hard to pull away from Chicago. However, if Levhshunov is there for the taking, the Belarusian blueliner’s blend of size, speed, and puck skills would make him an almost can’t miss piece for Vancouver. Kevin Korchinski and Scott Rinzel both also present appealing cases that would make them worth a look if nothing else for Vancouver, but ultimately neither can compare to what Levshunov brings should he be available.
Picks
In 2025, Chicago have two firsts and two seconds. In each of 2026 and 2027, the Hawks have a first and a third, with three second-rounders in 2026 and two in 2027.
As sad as it would be to see one of our star players end up with the Blackhawks, Chicago has the potential to put together one of the best trade packages of any potentially interested party in the league. With no shortage of strong options in their prospect pool and a treasure trove of draft picks, if Chicago are serious about landing Pettersson or Miller, it might be hard to turn down some of the offers they could put together.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rick Dhaliwal has said to watch out for the Jackets as a dark horse candidate to seek out a deal for Pettersson, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only do the Jackets have the cap space to pull off a blockbuster deal, but they have built up one of the league’s biggest collections of young talent and could look to use it to finally break out and become a contending team.
Players
Possibly the most appealing single asset the Canucks could hope to land for one of their stars is Adam Fantilli. The third overall pick in 2023, Fantilli has the potential to become one of the best players in the entire league, and should instantly become the Canucks focus if he can be pried away from Columbus. Beyond Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko has been enjoying a strong breakout campaign and looks like a legitimate top-six centre option. If Fantilli is deemed untouchable by the Jackets, a package built around Marchenko could be worth consideration.
Beyond Marchenko and Fantilli, the Jackets have a few more forwards on their roster who could find their way to Vancouver in the event of a deal, including two local products. Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson may not be as enticing as the previously mentioned players, but could both bring plenty of value to the Canucks as pieces of a multi-asset deal. Both have shown flashes but are yet to reach their full potential in Columbus. A change of scenery and a return to the city they grew up in could be just what Sillinger or Johnson need to become the best versions of themselves.
On the defensive side, partnering Quinn Hughes with Zach Werenski feels like a dream move, although it’s hard to imagine the Jackets parting ways with their best player in the midst of a wild card race. The Canucks have been linked to Ivan Provorov recently, and while I am not the biggest fan of the idea, he could be considered as part of a package. Damon Severson and Coquitlam’s Dante Fabbro are also worth mentioning, but ultimately, Werenski seems like the ideal blueliner for Vancouver to target, but unfortunately, Provorov feels like the far more realistic option.
Prospects
Sillinger, Johnson, and Fabbro aren’t the only BC boys in the Blue Jackets ranks. Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth overall pick in 2024, has the potential to be a top-notch power forward down the middle, so if he’s available, it feels like a no-brainer to try and bring him back to his home province. Luca’s Pinelli and Del Bel Belluz also make intriguing cases down the middle, although neither is the prospect Lindstrom is, while on the wings, Gavin Brindley and Jordan Dumais present solid options.
On the backend, Denton Mateychuk is one of the most interesting prospects around. Mateychuk moves the puck in a way very few young defencemen can, which, at the moment, should be music to the ears of Canucks fans who have to watch Carson Soucy and Noah Juulsen trying to move the puck on a regular basis. Charlie Elick, a second-rounder in 2024, is viewed as more of a project than other defencemen but is considered one of the most difficult defencemen to play against in the WHL. With some patience and good development, Elick could be a thorn in the side of anyone the Canucks come up against for years to come.
Picks
The Jackets don’t have a second-round pick in 2025 or 2026 but have two firsts in the coming draft, two seconds in 2027, and two thirds in 2026 and 2027. They also have a single first in 2026 and 2027 and a third in 2025.
You may have noticed that I wrote more about the Jackets than I have about any team so far due to the sheer number of appealing assets they have. What you may not know is that I had to cut out pieces about some other pieces Columbus has that interest me because this section was already too long (shoutout to Mathieu Olivier and Dmitri Voronkov). We don’t know what any teams will be prepared to part with, but just based on what assets they have available to trade, it feels like Columbus may have the best shot to land Petey or Miller should they decide they want one.
New York Islanders
Lou Lamoriello has already pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal with the Canucks in recent years, acquiring Bo Horvat in January 2023. With the Islanders seemingly stuck in eternal mediocrity, and Lou having previously tried to acquire JT Miller, could they look to work out a deal with Vancouver?
Players
At the moment, the Isles don’t really have a forward who would fill the Canucks needs for a young centre. However, in terms of putting together a package, rumours have swirled about the Canucks interest in impending UFA centre Brock Nelson, who is anything but young but is still a solid player. At 33 years old, Nelson is a player who could be useful in Vancouver in the short term as a second-line centre and a veteran leader but isn’t the type of player a team looking to add a young centre should be considering a primary piece in a trade package.
On the defensive end, it has also been reported that the Canucks have interest in Noah Dobson. With the Canucks in need of a puck mover for the top four, Dobson makes plenty of sense, providing the Canucks with a piece who could play alongside Quinn Hughes or on the second pair alongside someone like Carson Soucy and instantly improve the backend. The one potential hitch would be working out an extension with Dobson, who will be a restricted free agent in July. Beyond that, however, Dobson could be just what the Canucks need to get the blue line in shape.
Prospects
Let’s keep things honest here, the Islanders' prospect pool might genuinely be the worst in the NHL. Cole Eiserman, a first-rounder in 2024, looks like he has a very bright future ahead of him, but beyond that, there just isn’t much to pick from. Eiserman is also a winger rather than a centre, so Vancouver’s need for a young centre would remain unfulfilled.
Notre Dame centre and 2023 second-round pick Danny Nelson could be of some interest, but feels like more of a supplemental piece than a prospect who a deal could be built around. Not only does he seem to be a few years off from being ready for NHL action, but Nelson isn’t really considered a blue-chip prospect. Ultimately, the Isles's lack of a marquee centre in their system could prove to be a hindrance for any efforts to get a deal done.
Picks
The Isles have a first, second, and third-round pick in 2025 and 2027, and a first and a third in 2026.
The Islanders' interest is probably real, but it’s hard to see a trade package they could put together that would be more interesting than something another team would assemble. It all comes down to what teams are willing to part with, but Lou Lamoriello just doesn’t have much of an asset pool to pull from to get a deal done.
New York Rangers
The Rangers are seemingly willing to part with anyone at the moment as GM Chris Drury has grown dissatisfied with his core. The Rangers have also reportedly been engaged in trade talks with the Canucks about Miller, and could also have interest in Elias Pettersson. So could Miller be destined to return to his old team? Or could Petey be on his way to the Big Apple?
Players
Per reports, the Rangers offered to send Mika Zibanejad to Vancouver in exchange for Miller, although it remains unclear if that was as part of a package or as a one-for-one. Zibanejad is not a player I want to see the Canucks target with his age and dwindling production, and neither is Chris Kreider, who has also been shopped. Out of the Rangers forward core, the only ones who would be of particular interest to me are Will Cuylle and Alexis Lafreniere, a former client of Canucks AGM Emilie Castonguay. However, if a veteran centre has to be included in the deal to make the cap work, I’d like it to be Vincent Trocheck.
I’ll also mention Matt Rempe as a potential Canucks target, not because I think that they are interested or even that they should be, but because this is my article and I feel like it. On the backend, Adam Fox would be great, but the odds of that happening lie somewhere between slim and none. However, Braden Schneider and K’Andre Miller could both be worth consideration for a Vancouver team looking to put together a stronger blue line. Big, mobile defencemen aren’t easy to come by, and if the Canucks could land one of Miller or Schneider.
Prospects
Like their crosstown rivals, the Rangers don’t really have a stud centre in their prospect pool. They do, however, have a few more options to pull from in other positions. Wingers Gabe Perrault and Brennan Othmann offer exciting packages, with Perrault having just put on a show at the World Juniors and Othmann’s size and work rate could make him a favourite among Canucks fans.
Defenceman EJ Emery offers a profile that sounds almost exactly like what the Canucks need. A big-bodied, defensively sound right-shot defenceman could help give the Canucks another profile like what they need long into the future. Left-handed rearguard Drew Fortescue also showed a lot of promise with Team USA at the World Juniors, but it’s important to remember that a good tournament performance isn’t always indicative of a bright NHL future.
Picks
The Rangers do not have a second-round pick in any of the next three draft classes, but they have a first and a third in each of these years.
It doesn’t feel too unreasonable to assume that the Rangers could pull the trigger on a deal, especially with some of the moves Chris Drury has made of late, but let’s see if their vision for a trade lines up with what the Canucks need. If pieces like Lafreniere and Schneider are made available, we could have something here. If the Rangers expect to use Zibanejad as the main piece in a deal, good luck.
So, where do we go from here? While it still seems like the best-case scenario for the Canucks to keep both Miller and Petey in town, and winning games is the best cure for locker room issues rather than trades, a decision on the future may need to be made quickly. While JT Miller currently has a no-movement clause on his contract and would have to approve of any deal the Canucks make, Elias Pettersson currently has no such clause. If the front office has concluded that one of them has to go, then to get the best possible return now might have to be the time to make a deal.
Based on the list above, I think it’s hard to view the Bruins or the Islanders as real contenders on the market, but the other teams listed could all make the Canucks very appealing offers. In my opinion, however, there is a clear favourite. If Don Waddell wants to make JT Miller or Elias Pettersson a Columbus Blue Jacket, it’s hard to see a way that another team could compete with what they have to offer. This will all come down to what teams are willing to make available, but if the Jackets want to make a deal, it’s theirs for the taking.
Winning an Elias Pettersson or JT Miller trade will be no simple task, and comes with a lot of risk attached given the Canucks current situation and the ability of these players. However, this is a front office who have proven time and time again that they are one of the best and most creative in the league, so if a deal is made, you have to trust that no GM is going to be able to pull one over on Rutherford and Allvin.