The New York Rangers have acquired veteran center in a multi-player trade.
In exchange, the Rangers sent center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a conditional 2025 draft pick. New York also received defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom as part of the deal.
The trade came amid speculation that Vancouver would move either Miller or Elias Pettersson due to reported tension between the two stars. Miller was a late scratch for Vancouver’s 5-3 loss in Dallas on Friday, and the trade was announced during the game.
“We appreciate everything J.T. has done for our team,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. “He was a passionate player and a leader in our locker room. Moving him wasn’t an easy decision, but we are happy with the return. Filip and Victor will be valuable additions, and we’re excited to see them on the ice.”
Miller, 31, was originally drafted 15th overall by the Rangers in 2011 and played parts of six seasons in New York before being traded to Tampa Bay alongside Ryan McDonagh in 2018.
Now in the second year of a seven-year, $56 million contract, Miller is expected to provide a boost to the Rangers’ lineup, which has struggled following last season’s Presidents’ Trophy win and Eastern Conference Final appearance. This season, he has recorded nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games with Vancouver.
“Trades like this happen in the business,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “Millsey was a big part of our team, and I’m sure this is emotional for him. He played great hockey for us and gave everything he had. He’ll do well in New York.”
Pettersson declined to comment on his relationship with Miller or how the trade affects his future, saying, “I don’t want to get into that. We just have to move forward.”
Following the deal, the Canucks made another trade, acquiring defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, Vancouver sent forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, prospect Melvin Fernstrom, and the draft pick received from the Rangers to Pittsburgh.
The Rangers currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Columbus for the final wild-card spot. Vancouver, meanwhile, is ninth in the Western Conference, just one point out of a playoff position.
Over his career, Miller has accumulated 247 goals and 427 assists in 839 NHL games with the Rangers, Lightning, and Canucks. In the playoffs, he has tallied 12 goals and 44 assists in 91 games. Last season, Miller set career highs with 37 goals, 66 assists, 103 points, 40 power-play points, nine game-winning goals, and 217 hits.
During his first stint in New York, Miller posted 72 goals and 100 assists in 341 games.
Chytil, 25, was selected 21st overall by the Rangers in 2017 and has recorded 75 goals and 89 assists in 378 career games, including 11 goals and nine assists in 41 games this season.
“I’ve heard great things about him,” Tocchet said of Chytil. “He’s excited to join us. Mancini is a big, young defenseman with potential. We’re looking forward to working with both of them.”
Marcus Pettersson has 14 goals and 119 assists in 444 career games with Anaheim and Pittsburgh, while O’Connor has registered 24 goals and 26 assists in 157 games with the Penguins.
Heinen, who was sent to Pittsburgh in the later trade, has 93 goals and 137 assists over 538 games with Boston, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver. Desharnais has recorded one goal and 15 assists in 114 games.
Mancini, 22, made his NHL debut this season, posting one goal and four assists in 15 games with the Rangers, along with three goals and seven assists in 23 games for AHL Hartford.
Brannstrom, 25, has tallied 10 goals and 67 assists in 294 NHL games, while Dorrington, 20, was selected by Vancouver in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.