In this edition of the Vancouver Canucks News & Rumors, the Canucks are open to trading their players, including Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, to Western Conference teams. Additionally, an update on the organization’s contract negotiations with their top unrestricted free agents (UFA) Brock Boeser and Kevin Lankinen. Also, Filip Hronek returned to the lineup after being away since early December.
Canucks Open to Trading Within Western Conference
The Canucks continue to hold trade talks for Pettersson and Miller as the trade deadline nears. The organization is open to trading either one of its top-end centres to teams in the Western Conference.
“One of the things the Canucks have indicated with both Pettersson and Miller is they’re not shying off interest from the Western Conference,” Elliotte Friedman said. “Teams from the West that have reached out have not been told no, that they would be unwilling to deal any particular player to any of those destinations.”
Both players are on the top of multiple trade boards, but a trade involving either isn’t guaranteed. The Canucks are fighting for a wild card spot with division rivals, the Calgary Flames, while the St. Louis Blues and Utah Hockey Club trail behind by two points.
Vancouver went 1-3-3 since the holiday break but secured a massive shutout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, they followed it up with a 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on January 14. Despite the loss, the Canucks will likely hold on to both forwards and attempt to improve their roster in other ways.
If the team does decide to trade one of them, moving Miller instead of Pettersson makes far more sense. At 26 years old, Pettersson is younger and has long-term upside, while Miller, who turns 32 in March, represents a more logical trade candidate. Additionally, the return for Pettersson is unlikely to match the immense value he provides, whereas a trade involving Miller would likely bring back a substantial package.
Update on Canucks UFAs: Boeser and Lankinen
The Canucks have two key UFAs this offseason in Boeser and Lankinen. Boeser is in the final year of his three-year, $19.5 million deal, while Lankinen, signed with the organization in the offseason to a one-year deal at $875,000.
Boeser reached the 30- and 40-goal milestones for the first time in his career during the 2023-24 season….
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