The reported rift between Vancouver Canucks star players Elias Pettersson and JT Miller is the biggest story in hockey right now. The rumor mill is churning with speculation from NHL insiders and fans alike.
Sportnet’s Ryan Dixon presented several potential blockbuster trades involving the Swedish center on Thursday. Minnesota Wild are a likely potential destination for Pettersson, Dixon claimed, as the Wild have long been looking for a top center to round out their offense.
The analyst also pointed to rumors surrounding Minnesota’s current top center Marco Rossi. The three-year contract of the $2.59 million attacker expires at the end of the season.
“Marco Rossi’s name has been in trade rumors this season, as has Pettersson’s. Rossi’s play over the past month (13 points in 12 games, although eight came in a three-game heat) will likely calm talk of the 23-year-old playing anywhere other than the ‘State of Hockey,'” Dixon wrote. .
“But if General Manager Bill Guerin doesn’t think he and the running RFA (Rossi) are in the same universe when it comes to a second contract and there’s a player of Pettersson’s ilk and age out there, then that would be a great young piece could be. tasty just like Rossi,” he added.
Dixon drew a comparison between Pettersson’s current situation and that of former NHL players like center Joe Thornton and defenseman Zdeno Chara. He also identifies the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabers and Anaheim Ducks as other possible trade destinations for Pettersson.
NHL analyst picks Elias Pettersson over JT Miller to stay in Vancouver
On Wednesday, sports commentator Sam Cosentino opined that the Vancouver Canucks should look to trade JT Miller instead of Elias Pettersson. In a “Hot Topic” panel on Sportsnet, Cosentino said Miller should be the one to go. He also firmly believed that the gap between the star players could not be closed.
The analyst stated that Miller’s $8 million cap hit, on-ice versatility and solid playoff record make him very marketable. He also said that releasing Miller would allow the Vans to resolve the situation efficiently.
“I say it’s Miller who goes, who frees up Pettersson, who frees up the rest of the room to be more like themselves and who allows the Canucks to move forward,” he said.
Rumors of a feud between 31-year-old Miller and 26-year-old Pettersson have been circulating for eight weeks.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos