In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: a trade that would’ve sent Canucks center J.T. Miller to the Rangers stalls, updates on Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, and the latest on Mikko Rantanen and Andrei Kuzmenko.
THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Vancouver Canucks were believed to be close to a trade that would’ve sent J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers. However, it appears that the deal is off for now.
At one point, it appeared the 31-year-old center would’ve been held out of the lineup from Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. Friedman claimed things had progressed where it looked like he wouldn’t play.
Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)
Friedman said the Canucks sent a note around the league last week warning teams against talking to any of their players without the club’s permission. However, he believes several teams have permission to speak with Miller but he’s unsure who they are.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman wasn’t sure why the deal didn’t go through. CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reported Miller hadn’t been asked to waive his no-movement clause.
This situation could change quickly so it’ll be worth monitoring. Hopefully, we’ll get more details as to why the deal with the Rangers stalled and whether it can be salvaged. We might also learn which clubs could be speaking to Miller and his representatives.
Turning to Miller’s teammate Elias Pettersson, Friedman said the 26-year-old center lacks no-trade protection this season. He wants to stay in Vancouver and Friedman thinks the Canucks’ preference is to keep him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson is five years younger than Miller and is in his playing prime now. Miller remains in his prime but most of his best years are behind him.
Meanwhile, Friedman’s colleague Iain MacIntyre reports Canucks winger Brock Boeser acknowledged he could be moved if the club hasn’t turned things around by the March 7 trade deadline.
The 27-year-old Boeser can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He knows he hasn’t played well this season, admitting that management could view him as a trade candidate leading up to March 7.
Boeser netted a career-high 40 goals and 73 points in 2023-24. He has 15 goals and 27 points in 37 games this season. MacIntyre noted that management has been lukewarm in comments about re-signing the winger, partly because of the ongoing drama involving Miller and Pettersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser has a cap hit of $6.65 million this season and a 10-team no-trade list. He’ll draw plenty of interest if the Canucks peddle him before March 7 and should fetch a good return.
AVALANCHE WON’T SHOP RANTANEN
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer cites a source saying Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland had found contract negotiations with Mikko Rantanen tougher than he thought they would be.
The 28-year-old winger is UFA-eligible on July 1. It’s rumored he’s seeking a deal comparable to the $14 million AAV that Leon Draisaitl will make with the Edmonton Oilers starting next season. The Avalanche would prefer he signs for something close to teammate Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million.
It’s been rumored that the Avalanche could shop Rantanen if he’s unsigned by the March 7 trade deadline. However, Biringer’s source said the Avs have no appetite to do that because of how valuable Rantanen is to the lineup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Worse comes to worse, Rantanen becomes the Avalanche’s “own rental” as they attempt to stage another run for the Stanley Cup.
FLAMES UNLIKELY TO MOVE KUZMENKO
CALGARY SUN: A reader recently asked Wes Gilbertson if Flames winger Andrei Kuzmenko could become a trade chip before March 7.
Gilbertson is doubtful given Kuzmenko’s scoring woes this season. The 28-year-old winger has only two goals and 11 points in 33 games. He’s two years removed from his 39-goal, 75-point debut with the Vancouver Canucks and had 46 points in 72 games last season split between the Canucks and the Flames.
Kuzmenko is UFA-eligible in July. He has a $5.5 million cap hit and a 12-team no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames could peddle Kuzmenko if they fall out of playoff contention by the trade deadline. They’ll likely have to retain part of his salary and won’t get much in return.
