The New York Rangers have made a trade to acquire veteran center in a multi-player deal. In exchange, the Rangers sent center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a 2025 conditional draft pick to Vancouver. The Rangers also received defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom from the Canucks.
The trade came after rumors that Vancouver might move either Miller or Elias Pettersson due to reported tensions between the two players. Miller was unexpectedly scratched from the lineup before Vancouver’s 5-3 loss to Dallas on Friday, and the trade was announced during the game.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin expressed his gratitude for Miller’s contributions, saying, “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, 31, was originally drafted by the Rangers 15th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft and spent parts of six seasons with the team before being traded to Tampa Bay in 2018. Now in the second year of a seven-year, $56 million contract, Miller has been productive for Vancouver this season, recording nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games. His addition is expected to help strengthen the Rangers, who have struggled following their Presidents’ Trophy win last season and their Eastern Conference final appearance.
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet shared his thoughts on the trade, acknowledging Miller’s impact on the team. “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.”
Meanwhile, Pettersson declined to discuss his issues with Miller or what the trade means for him going forward, stating, “I don’t want to get into that. All we can do is look forward.”
In addition to trading Miller, Vancouver made another move, acquiring defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor from Pittsburgh in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, prospect Melvin Fernstrom, and the draft pick they received from the Rangers.
The Rangers, currently 13th in the Eastern Conference, are five points behind Columbus for the second wild card spot, while Vancouver sits in ninth place in the West, just one point behind a wild card spot.
Over the course of his career, Miller has tallied 247 goals and 427 assists in 839 games with the Rangers, Lightning, and Canucks. He has also recorded 12 goals and 44 assists in 91 playoff games. Last season, Miller posted career highs with 37 goals, 66 assists, and 103 points.
Chytil, 25, was selected by the Rangers in the 2017 draft and has contributed 75 goals and 89 assists in 378 career games, including 11 goals and nine assists this season.
Tocchet spoke positively about Chytil, saying, “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.”
Pettersson has 14 goals and 119 assists in 444 games for Anaheim and Pittsburgh, while O’Connor has 24 goals and 26 assists in 157 games for Pittsburgh. Heinen, with 93 goals and 137 assists in 538 games, and Desharnais, who has one goal and 15 assists in 114 games, are also part of the trade.
Mancini, 22, made his NHL debut this season, recording one goal and four assists in 15 games for the Rangers. He also contributed three goals and seven assists in 23 games for the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.
Brannstrom, 25, has posted 10 goals and 67 assists in 294 NHL games, while Dorrington, 20, was drafted by Vancouver in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
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