The deal that has been circulating around the NHL news sites for seemingly ever was finally consummated on Friday night as the former Lightning forward is heading back to the New York Rangers. According to reports Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington are heading to the Rangers in exchanged for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a protected 2025 first-round pick. If the pick ends up in the top 13, the Rangers will keep it and Vancouver will receive their 2026 first-rounder.
Thus ends the J.T. Miller vs. Elias Pettersson rift in Vancouver. After months of denying any tension in the clubhouse between the two stars Jim Rutherford, the Canucks’ head of hockey operations, admitted earlier this week there was no way forward with both of them staying on the roster.
Miller agreed to wave his no-movement clause in order to facilitate the move, and it was long rumored that New York was his preferred destination. He began his career with the Rangers putting up 172 points (72 goals, 100 assists) in 341 games before he was dealt to the Lightning along with Ryan McDonagh.
The 31-year-old is in the second year of a seven-year deal that has a cap hit of $8 million per season, and it doesn’t seem like Vancouver is retaining any salary. Outside of the first-round pick, Chytil is the biggest piece heading to the Canucks. The 25-year-old is in the middle of a four-year deal and has 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 41 games, but put up 22 goals in 2022-23. Victor Mancini is a 22-year-old defenseman who has spent most of the season with Hartford.
As of right now now, both Vancouver and New York are out of the playoffs, so we’ll have to see if the move sparks either team in a positive direction.
Lightning News
Lightning reassign Goncalves and Tomkins [Tampa Bay Lightning]
With the Lightning having the day off, it appears they saved a little more cap money by reassigning Matt Tomkins and Gage Goncalves to the Syracuse Crunch. Neither appeared in the Crunch’s line-up tonight so, it’s likely just a paper transaction, and they’ll be recalled today. It’s going to be interesting if all of these moves are going to pay off at the deadline for the Lightning.
Victor Hedman named captain of Team Sweden [The Athletic]
The 34-year-old captain of the Lightning will wear the C for his home country in the 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s been an alternate captain for Sweden twice in the World Championships, but this is the first time he’s been named captain. Erik Karlsson, Mattias Ekholm, and William Nylander will be the alternates in the upcoming tournament.
For late-round picks trying to crack the NHL, all you need is a chip and a chance [The Athletic]
Brandon Hagel, a sixth-round pick by Buffalo, who wasn’t signed by the team features prominently in the article about players that fought their way into relevance despite being later picks.
