The New York Rangers finalized a significant trade on Friday evening, acquiring seasoned center J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks as part of a complex multi-player exchange.
In return, the Rangers parted ways with center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a conditional draft pick set for 2025. Alongside Miller, New York welcomed defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom to their lineup.
Amid ongoing speculation about a potential trade involving either Miller or teammate Elias Pettersson due to reported tensions between the two, Miller was listed as a late scratch ahead of Vancouver’s recent 5-3 defeat against Dallas. The announcement of the trade was made while the game was in progress.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin expressed his gratitude towards Miller in a statement, noting, “I want to thank J.T. for his time here in Vancouver. J.T. was a passionate impact player and good leader for our hockey team. Moving him was not an easy decision, but we are pleased with our return from the Rangers. Both Filip and Victor are good additions for our club and we are excited to see what they bring to us on the ice.”
Miller, now 31 years old, was originally drafted by the Rangers as the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft. He had a notable six-year stint with New York before being traded to Tampa Bay, along with defenseman Ryan McDonagh, on February 26, 2018. Currently, he is in the second season of a seven-year, $56 million contract and aims to strengthen a Rangers roster that has encountered difficulties following their Presidents’ Trophy-winning season and deep playoff run last year. So far this season, Miller has recorded nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games played for Vancouver.
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet commented on the trade, acknowledging Miller’s significant role within the team. “When you’re in this business long enough, there are going to be things like that. Millsey was a big part of the team. I’m sure he’s emotional… Millsey’s played great hockey for the Canucks and myself. Obviously, a heart-and-soul guy. I think he’s going to do well over there,” Tocchet stated.
Meanwhile, Pettersson declined to elaborate on any issues he had with Miller, simply stating, “I don’t want to get into that. All we can do is look forward.”
In a separate transaction, the Canucks brought in defenseman Marcus Pettersson—unrelated to Elias—and forward Drew O’Connor from Pittsburgh, trading away forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, prospect Melvin Fernstrom, and the draft pick received from the Rangers in the previous trade.
Presently, the Rangers find themselves in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Columbus by five points in the wild card race, while Vancouver holds the ninth position in the Western Conference, just one point short of a wild card spot.
Throughout his NHL career, Miller has amassed a total of 247 goals and 427 assists across 839 games, playing for the Rangers, Lightning, and Canucks. In the playoffs, he has netted 12 goals and provided 44 assists in 91 games. Last season marked a peak in his performance, achieving career bests with 37 goals, 66 assists, and 103 points, while also contributing 40 power-play points and 217 hits. During his initial period with the Rangers, he managed to score 72 goals and assist on 100 goals in 341 games.
Chytil, a young 25-year-old forward and the 21st overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Rangers, has recorded 75 goals and 89 assists over 378 games, including 11 goals and nine assists in his ongoing season.
Tocchet expressed optimism about Chytil’s potential impact, saying, “Heard some really good things. I heard he’s very excited to come. Mancini I hear is a really big defenseman, young, that can play. Yeah, I think there’s some stuff to work with.”
Marcus Pettersson, unconnected to Elias, has 14 goals and 119 assists across 444 games for both Anaheim and Pittsburgh. O’Connor has accumulated 24 goals and 26 assists in 157 games played with the Penguins.
Heinen, who has played for Boston, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver, has accrued 93 goals and 137 assists in 538 games, while Desharnais has contributed one goal and 15 assists across 114 games.
Mancini, the 22-year-old defenseman, made his NHL debut earlier this season and has one goal and four assists in 15 games with the Rangers. He also recorded three goals and seven assists in 23 AHL games for Hartford.
Brannstrom, 25, has posted 10 goals and 67 assists over 294 games, while 20-year-old Dorrington was drafted by Vancouver in the sixth round in 2022.
