NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2025
What’s the latest on Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller? Could Mikko Rantanen sign with the Oilers this summer? What’s next for the Avalanche and Hurricanes? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON PETTERSSON AND MILLER
TSN: Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford told The Globe & Mail’s Gary Mason that he can see no good solution to the rift between centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
Rutherford indicated he felt there could be a long-term solution because everyone was working on it, including the two players. However, it would only be resolved for a short period before resurfacing. He said it “certainly appears that there’s not a good solution that would keep this group together.”
Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson and Miller denied a rift existed between them last month. Rutherford’s remarks leave no doubt there is an insurmountable issue between the two players adversely affecting the team.
The Canucks are exploring trade options involving Pettersson and Miller. Rutherford admitted the long-term outlook for the club will be affected. “We’ll have to do the best we can in trades,” he said. “Whatever assets you get in return, you may turn them into something else.”
Darren Dreger reports the Canucks aren’t interested in low-ball offers for either player. “It has to be respectable”, he said, pointing out that Pettersson and Miller are the Canucks’ top two forwards.
Miller carries a no-movement clause. Dreger said they’re willing to wait until the offseason if they don’t get suitable offers for him before the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other clubs realize the Canucks are in a bind as the rift between those two affects the team’s performance so they’ll try to exploit that. Miller’s NMC complicates things as it limits potential trade destinations.
The Canucks will remain patient, hoping a rival club gets desperate enough to meet their asking price near the trade deadline. Otherwise, this situation could stretch into the offseason.
COULD RANTANEN SIGN WITH THE OILERS THIS SUMMER?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited NHL insider Andy Strickland predicting Mikko Rantanen will sign with the Oilers as a free agent this summer.
Rantanen, 28, was traded by the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes last Friday. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an AAV of $9.25 million.
Strickland dismissed the salary cap difficulties the Oilers would face in signing Rantanen. He claimed there’s some belief that they could do it, and he pointed out that Rantanen and Oilers star Leon Draisaitl have the same agent. He also claimed his prediction was based on “informed speculation.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Strickland can dismiss the salary-cap concerns, but they’re too significant to ignore. If the ceiling reaches $92.4 million, as projected, the Oilers will have over $15 million in cap space, with 15 active roster players under contract.
Puck-moving defenseman Evan Bouchard is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.9 million. He reached a career-high 82 points last season. His production is down this season but he should still exceed 50 points.
Bouchard could seek between $9 million and $10 million annually. Assuming the Oilers convince him to accept a doubling of his current AAV to $7.8 million, it won’t leave enough to sign Rantanen and flesh out the rest of the roster. They must also ensure sufficient cap room to make Connor McDavid the NHL’s highest-paid player starting in 2026-27.
The Oilers could clear cap space by attempting to move players lacking no-trade protection like Viktor Arvidsson, Adam Henrique and Brett Kulak. They could also buy out the final season of Evander Kane’s contract, assuming he’s no longer on LTIR when the June buyout period rolls around. However, those moves will only further deplete their roster depth which will be difficult to replace if they sign Rantanen to an expensive contract.
Rantanen could seek a salary comparable to Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV. It could cost $16 million annually to keep McDavid in the fold. Even with the cap expected to reach $100 million in two years, it’s folly to have three forwards eating up over 40 percent of your annual cap payroll and expect to ice a roster deep enough to win the Stanley Cup.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE AND HURRICANES?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Colorado Avalanche aren’t done making deals after shipping Mikko Rantanen to Carolina on Friday.
The Avs have over $3.9 million in cap space. Proteau speculates they could attempt to improve their depth at center, replenish their stockpile of draft picks or add a third-pairing defenseman.
TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Hurricanes could still make moves by the March 7 trade deadline. He thinks they could attempt to upgrade at center after sending Jack Drury to Colorado in the Rantanen deal. Johnston also thinks they’re fine in goal now that Frederik Andersen has returned from knee surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are in “win-now” mode so they could go shopping for more depth by March 7. The Avalanche could return to the market but their placement in the standings could determine whether they make another significant move or a smaller depth one.
Johnston’s colleague Pierre LeBrun reports the Hurricanes’ acquisition of Rantanen won’t change the trade deadline plans of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They still intend to make moves but the Rantanen blockbuster won’t influence their decisions.
No room dollar wise for Rantanen in Oil country . You really do not need that caliber of player. You have a couple already.
My opinion is Rantanen will stay with the Canes
If they can get Bouchard (for any term) at 7.8 get the ink done
Easy to get big boom on a contract
Give him 65m with 2 years of 10 million and the rest spread out thats comfortable to the team for 8years
I had said that when he brokenout with Eklom give the money know for 8 years they didnt know going to cost a lot
Canes will put Carrier on LTIR that will give them cap space. Carrier is having surgery and want return anytime soon.
Strickland’s “informed speculation” and his dismissal of cap r eality is why people like him are “sports writers” rather than somewhere within “sports management.”
Also, Rantanan’s and Draisaitl’s agent being Andy Scott’s firm in Ottawa might suggest – by his reasoning- that they both ultimately wind up here!
Besides, Scott is associated with quite a list of NHL clients – why wouldn’t the Oliers go after a bunch of them if the only connection needed was the agent?
Give me a freaking break!
There’s always a way that Rantonen returns to the Avs, with a differed salary. His actual quote of being agreeable to a discount to stay there makes me wonder if this was just shrewd business deal by the Avs.
The best thing I saw after the trade was that the BlueJays were in on Rantonen…..LMAO
Haha! Well done with the Jays comment Dark G.
lol.
Jays won’t get him either.
Re; Vancouver Canuck’s Managment.
When I listening to Graig Button & Jim Roe today on TSN pod cast,
and an other Sports Radio show today & Yesterday,
Canucks President Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have lost faith in his ability to mend the strained relationship between star forwards,
J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson…
They Need to Trade one of these Centres ASAP….❓
if not its just going to Blow up in there Face’s if it al ready has not.
Looks like they can’t trade JT.Millar and have moved to Trading Elias Pettersson…🤔
Well this has been going on now for 2-3 months ++ Now it’s getting its Worse.this comes down to these 2 Managers Not Fixing this soonernot fixing this Much Sooner its going down hill Fast Lots of players are Not Happy there including Captain Quinn Hughes Who is a UFA in 2.3 years Rutherford say yesterday this could effect then Re-signing Quinn Also…😲❗️
1/
Scoring RW & UFA this year 27 yr old Brock Boeser 2025, says Contract talk’s have Stalled and going No Where….
2/
Starting Goaltender Thatcher Demko a UFA in 2026 has also said he may test the UFA marker next July 1st… 2 more that look like they are jumping the messed up Canucks ship.
3/
Canucks now looking at Extending Back up goaltender who has played Great, Kevin Lankinen A UFA who could be there starter to a New Deal it could cost them $3.5 to $4.M range
4/ Now Quinn Hughes… to worrie about
The players say they are “professionals,” but they are acting like it less and less every year!
‘Looks like they can’t trade JT.Millar and have moved to Trading Elias Pettersson…🤔’
exactly. low balls on Miller and they dont really want to move EP
Buffalo seems the move
Hey DS,
Your right from what the Canucks Need want for EP
Buffalo has Both …..✔️✔️
A Young Centre, Aged 23-26…Dylan Cousins $7.1M
A younger Top 4 d/man
Bryan @$ 3.4M
A local BC boy who is a RFA
They may need to through
In a Really Good Top young Prospect
And a 3rd and Or 4th pick to make it all work
TJ .Millar is to old 32 this year to fit into the Buffalo long term plans
This Buffalo offer look’s like the Best deal on the table right now…🤔
Your thoughts or other Suggestions …….❓❓
@willi
i dont know who the untouchables are in Buffalo
Dahlen and Tage?
I don’t get it. Two multi-millionaires can’t get along. I would partner up with Genghis Khan for that kind of money.
Oh for god sakes Vancouver will you trade one of these two bleeping players. It is like Fuc****king young and the restless already so over it.
These modern day athletes little bitches oh I don’t like him he doesn’t like me waah waah waah. Shut the fuc**** up and player you spoiled primidonas!
Seriously everybody probably has somebody they work with they don’t ask to be traded.
It is like someone working at Burger King i don’t like him or her trade me to Mc Donald’s or Wendy’s.
Good grief Charlie Brown..
Boy are the Canucks regretting trading Horvat now!
Makes you wonder if UFA Brock Boeser wants to be part of this circus going forward. Or does he also become part of a bigger blockbuster involving Miller or Pettersson, which would further complicate a trade with Boeser having a 10-team no trade list.
Lotto line no more .
If this situation drags on past the TD Alvin is a fool. Appreciate you need top returns but when it becomes cancerous remove the tumour. In this case JT is 5 years older and is the chosen one . Circle back
Chytl Lindgren a prospect and a pick
But does any other team really want to import the tumour? Leopards don’t change their spots, as they say!
A local reporter that covers the Nucks was on the radio yesterday, and he basically said that everything that Miller has said to Petterson, often, was accurate according to other players. The issue is how he communicates it. Old school, and perhaps confrontational. In his grill so to speak.
The first issue with Petterson this year is he didn’t show up in great shape. Passed his physical of course, but the goal was to get in great shape, like Miller and others on the Canucks showed up. And also upping his game and intensity, playing when cleared to play medically, etc.
Basically up your game to help get VCR to the next level as their highest payed player. Isn’t happening, but going in reverse.
So one is lazy and not committed at the level required to be a contender, other guy is an A-hole.
Which guy would you prefer?
Wasting a great year by Hughes.
Boeser wants $8M plus, he isn’t a guy I would pay that much for. Take advantage of a down year and move him if that demand is accurate.
Would love to see a blockbuster that brings both JT and Boeser to NY. Maybe get Panarin to waive.
Since Miller is exposed as a cancer, it now is just Chytl and Lindgren! 😏
No no and no for the two young players…Buffalo does not need Pettersson nor Miller…keep the young players…n need to trade either Cozens or Byram and thus I keep repeating myself
Lotto line no more .
If this situation drags on past the TD Alvin is a fool. Appreciate you need top returns but when it becomes cancerous remove the tumour. In this case JT is 5 years older and is the chosen one . Circle back
Chytl Lindgren a prospect and a pick
Word is that the Rags wanted VCR to retain salary on Miller, and that’s what killed the deal.
Ray, most of what I’ve seen the deal died because of the 1st round pick and the “conditions” surrounding it.
I haven’t seen anything about Vancouver retaining salary.
Vancouver guy made that claim on the radio Captain, he’s around the team regularly.
Accurate? I dunno.
Miller to the Rangers ONLY if Mika is moved.
Pointless addition if not.
Guessing Mika not waiving nmc. If they do move Chytil, who’s playing 3C?
@slick
but do you think the swap of Miller and Chytil gets the Rangers back to the ECF this year?
TrocheckMika and Miller down the middle is old. and expensive.
if Mika isnt moved they still need the younger Chytil in the organization. there is one center prospect in Laba and he is probably a third liner at best…
Miller would need to be retained and losing no roster players…..
Mika ($1.5 retained) and Van 2nd to NYI
Barzal to Van
JT to NYR
Mika stays in NYC, everybody is happy!
Re; Canucks & NYR Trade…looks Dead Now.
if it was going to happen with NYR, and all these player mentioned, it would have happend by Now..Right❓So this Trade Option is Dead Now.
I Really dont this T.J.M wants to be traded and he
calls the shots with his NTC…
its NYR or nothing, I dont think the NYR want to give up everything for A 32 yr old, as they are starting to play much better now. They have $12.M in Cap space at the dead line, They are 3pts out of 6-7 place in the East, So looks for them to add to the team,✔️
So it moving Elias Pettersson Now is there only hope of fixing the Canucks mess if not the 2 ufas are gone to test the Market out….
and i dont blame them….
A couple of good Freind’s in Vancouver Say its a Big Mess its on the Radio & Sports New’s every day now the are All Blaming Managment for letting this Drag on & on❗️
Vancouver is in a tough spot.
Addition by subtraction may be a way to put it?
They need to move on from one of these players ASAP.
As an American, would Miller accept a trade to another Canadian team?
Before Miller’s NTC kicked in last year, and Nylander wasn’t signed, I thought a straight swap of Nylander for Miller was an interesting proposition.
If Petersson is actually not putting in the work, it might be worth exploring moving him instead.
You might of gotten a Pettersson for Nylander deal, but zero chance of Miller for Nylander. Dubas was running the circus then and Miller really isn`t a Dubas type player, see Kadri. Not saying that Toronto at that time wouldn`t have traded for Miller, just couldn`t see Dubas giving up Nylander, especially not straight up, giving Millers age and being a lefty
Yogi
Nylander’s latest contract was was signed by Treliving, not Dubas.
Nylander was a pending UFA last year and Miller’s NTC hadn’t kicked in yet. It would have been a BOLD move by Treliving to make that deal.
Hey Daryl
Your right when you are this Un happy in a job what do you do….❓
You get out Right out of especially how long this has gone on…..
T.J Millar holds the cards
He wants NYR sounds like one other NY area team Also
So hard to Trade him.
So now they are trying to move Elias Pettersson before his NT clause kicks in July 1st
Or much sooner as it’s a complete Mess now in Vancouver ❗️
And i
t’s all Managment Fault for not dealing with it Much Sooner ⁉️🙈
Miller for Morgan Reilly
Easy , friendly deal
Both make the same money and term
Vancouver is probably the only team where Reilly might wave his no movement clause , he is from there , as is his famous wife
Vancouver desperately needs to get Miller out of that environment !
The Rantanen deal boggles me , as there is no guarantee Carolina signs him
So many stupid proposals out there and Montreal radio punditry is as nonsensical as the rest.
1)Suzuki Guhle for Pettersson.
2)Dach +Mailloux for Pettersson.
These are trolling offers, habs don’t do #1 and Canucks don’t do #2.
I think Vancouver needs this done asap. So you have to slightly lower the expectations of what you can get in return. Nothing stupid low but Cozens AND Byram is a clear overpay in this situation. Van might be lucky to get Cozens plus a prospect for Pettersson in a deal with Buffalo.
As for Mtl, Suzuki is going nowhere. He’s looking like a legit #1 pt/gm that is strong defensively. If Mtl is making an offer I agree with what I’ve read for other fan comment pages, the offer should be a quantity for quality deal:
Dach + Gallagher (salary dump) + Struble + the lower of Cgy and Mtl’s 1st rounders
for
Petterson + Desharnais
Vancouver is not going to do a scorched earth Chi style rebuild. With Hughes in the fold they will try a Washington style retool. A deal like the above with Mtl gives them a right shot early 20s C in Dach and a pick in the top half of the draft plus a depth D in Struble who could if he develops further possibly be a 2nd pair D-man. They have very few right shots, especially if they trade Boeser (which they should) so bringing a right shot Gallagher back to Van (played for the Giants) would help instill the work ethic and drive they are rumored to need.
I’m obviously a biased Mtl fan but I think it could work for both teams if you can get Gallagher to waive his NTC.
A young C, a prospect D, a 1st rounder and a salary dump might be the best deal Van could get.
It would have to be Dach, Reinbacher, and the lower 1st rounder just to have the conversation!
Rutherford was stupid to acknowledge it. How do they expect to get a decent return when they confirm all these rumors all out in the public. Everyone knows just how bad it is for sure now. They should have quietly tested the waters earlier before it became a thing.