Insider Reveals 2 Canucks' Targets in J.T. Miller Trade to Rangers: Report

The Vancouver Canucks’ trade talks with the New York Rangers surrounding J.T. Miller collapsed at some point on Saturday, as first reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

A few hours later, before the Rangers' road game against the Montreal Canadiens, New York Post's Larry Brooks revealed the two players who could unlock a deal from the Rangers side.

According to Brooks, the Canucks have their sights set on former No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and third-pairing defenseman Braden Schneider as potential returns for their veteran center.

“The noise about Miller and the Rangers, with whom the 15th overall selection of the 2011 draft spent the first five-plus seasons of his career, will spike," Brooks wrote. "Candidates to go the other way will be named. Alexis Lafreniere would be one, Branden Schneider would be the other.”

 

The final Rangers' package offered to the Canucks in exchange for Miller is unknown at this point, so it's not clear if New York was willing to send either (or both) of Lafreniere or Schneider to Vancouver on Saturday.

For what it's worth, Miller carries a cap hit of $8 million compared to Lafreniere's $2.325 million salary and Schneider's $2.2 million hit. The deal would have worked for New York cap-wise, considering the Rangers have $10 million of cap space, per PuckPedia.

Brooks also reported that while Mika Zibanejad was previously linked to discussions, the Canucks have shifted focus to younger assets. That information aligns with the trade rejected by the Canucks in December and reported by The Athletic's Josh Yohe, later confirmed by Friedman. 

“Mika Zibanejad will not be part of the bounty going to Vancouver in a potential deal for Miller,” Brooks wrote.

 

The Rangers drafted Lafreniere with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft and he has 25 points in 45 games this season. He signed a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension in October, making him a controllable player with upside.

Schneider, meanwhile, has long been on the Canucks’ radar, and according to Friedman, Vancouver views him as a key piece in any deal involving Miller. However, the Rangers have been reluctant to part with Schneider, who remains a valued member of their defensive corps.

While it’s unclear if talks between Vancouver and New York will resume, insider Rick Dhaliwal reported on Saturday that Miller "had not been asked to waive his no-trade clause," which could indicate both franchises were far from reaching an agreement.

Asked about the failed trade and his future in Vancouver after Saturday's win over the Edmonton Oilers, Miller told reporters he's "planning on being a Canuck today, tomorrow," adding, “Whatever happens, happens."