Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 5, 2025
Check out the latest on Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun and Penguins blueliner Marcus Pettersson in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
CANUCKS TESTING TRADE MARKET FOR PETTERSSON & MILLER
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Vancouver Canucks are “definitely” looking at the trade market for centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
Friedman indicated three outcomes: neither gets dealt, one gets dealt or both get dealt. He didn’t make predictions about which was the more likely.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
If Vancouver makes a trade they’ll likely want a center in return. While Canucks fans are concerned about the state of the blueline with Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek sidelined by injuries, they would prioritize getting a center back if Pettersson, Miller, or both are traded.
Miller has a full no-movement clause in his contract. If he waives it, Friedman believes it would be for a US-based club, dismissing speculation he could go to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He doesn’t think rumors of a return to the New York Rangers with center Mika Zibanejad and defenseman K’Andre Miller going to Vancouver are entirely accurate.
“I just think that if Vancouver wanted to do that, they would’ve done it already,” said Friedman, pointing out that Zibanejad also has a full NMC.
Friedman also addressed recent speculation suggesting someone has asked for a trade out of Vancouver. He claims he can find no evidence of that.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t the first time Pettersson has appeared in trade rumors. There were reports the Canucks had talks with the Carolina Hurricanes before they returned to the negotiating table with the Pettersson camp, re-signing him to his eight-year contract.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin raised eyebrows last week in his year-end interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre when he didn’t dismiss the possibility of trading Pettersson. However, he also stressed that he still believes in the 26-year-old center and his ability to become a top-line center.
It’s worthwhile for the Canucks to explore all their options in this situation. This could be management sending a message to both players that they could be moved if they can’t resolve their differences.
Both players will draw interest in the trade market but getting a suitable return could be difficult. Pettersson carries the more expensive contract at $11.6 million annually through 2031-32. However, he’s 26 and is in his prime despite his struggles this season. Miller brings more intensity to his game but he’s also in his early thirties and won’t have many prime seasons left.
Miller to Toronto doesn’t make sense unless the Leafs decide not to re-sign Mitch Marner and John Tavares. Taking on a center who turns 32 in March with an $8 million average annual value through 2029-30 on his contract would be an expensive long-term gamble they could regret.
The Rangers already have several aging, expensive core players. Swapping out Zibanejad for Miller might provide a short-term boost but they would end up in the same place within a couple of years.
UPDATES ON JAKOB CHYCHRUN AND MARCUS PETTERSSON
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reported Thursday that Jakob Chychrun feels at home with the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old defenseman was acquired from the Ottawa Senators last summer.
Chychrun has fit in well with the Capitals with 11 goals and 27 points in 34 games. He praised the organization and is enjoying playing with a winning team. Eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July, Chychrun said he sees himself staying with the Capitals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun will garner attention if he hits the open market on July 1. His current cap hit is $4.6 million but could seek over $8 million annually on his next contract.
The Capitals will have $28.8 million in cap space next season if the cap rises as projected by $4.5 million. That’s enough room to keep him in the fold, especially with long-time blueliner John Carlson in his mid-thirties. They’ll need Chychrun to fill the void if Carlson departs as a UFA in 2026 or retires.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reported Wednesday that the Penguins haven’t held contract extension talks with Marcus Pettersson. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible on July 1 and recently returned to action after missing six games with a lower-body injury.
Petterson’s UFA status in July has made him the frequent subject of trade speculation. He said he’s trying to block that out and focus on his play.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas will likely handle this as he did with Jake Guentzel last season. He’ll wait until February to open contract discussion and peddle Pettersson by the March 7 trade deadline if they fail to agree to an extension.
If everyone gets worn out about the Miller,Petersen trade scenario ,how about Zadorov and Frederic for Boeser?
Hearing JT Miller bullies Elias Pettersson and Canucks locker room gotten so bad, management in a bind to force trading at least one player. Makes you wonder how often bullying occurs?
Yep…. Brilliant prognostications by Freidman
“Friedman indicated three outcomes: neither gets dealt, one gets dealt or both get dealt. ”
He just missed including all possibilities:
three other outcomes: neither retires; one retires or both retire
Doh!!!!!
Oliver Twist to Elliot
“Please sah, can I ‘av summor”
My predictions for today. Going out on a limb here.
Pens will win OR will lose in regulation or in OT or by shootout.
@Sr
Zadorov and Frederic make sense for Boeser
I think Vancouver would like to have Zadorov back where he played his best hockey
Boston needs to tweak their lineup
A bigger plan would be to explore Buffalo …Lots of talent on that club .. Swing for the fences and really make a game changer to your lineup !
Boston really needs to explore that opportunity
Canucks
Things heating up on the trade front in Vancouver…
Sounds like lots of teams scouting the Canucks
yesterday at there canucks AHL farm team.
3 GM’sthere from
Pen’s, Buffalo, NYR,
Possible Trades❓
Yesterday d-man Owen Powers name came up
as the other d/man trade with Dylan Cozens
to Vancouver for “Elias Pettersson”
Or
Canucks may have to put in T.J. Millar a 1st round pick and good prospect and to get
One of ether Bowen Byram or Owen Powers
and Dylan Cozens to Vancouver
Power & Cousins for Zadorov & Pettersson
Bob,Zadorov hasn t been traded to Vancouver yet!
Bob, Buffalo has Cozens – Ottawa has Cousins
Williew,Sweeney of Boston was there also!
SR,
Boston still looking for a 1st or 2nd line Scoring LW
SJPP,
that may help the Canucks out,
But first the need to address the problem
with these two first.
” Elias Pettersson & J.T. Millar ” Mess
They may have a d/man coming back the other way with a Centre as there has to be a Centre in any of the above deals……..❓
Williew
How about the Pens send Pettersson and prospect/pick for Hoglander and defenseman Elias Pettersson on their AHL team?
Friedman has less credibility than hockeybuzz these days. Sad ramblings, he needs a cold shower and a big cup of coffee.
Zadorov and Frederic for Boeser????
A $5 million pylon and a 4th line pug, for a guy who scored 40 goals last year and is on pace for another 40 this year is another Boston fanboy special
how about Zacha Frederick and Zadorov for Miller and Heinen.Bruins really need a shake up.
Peter substitute Garland for Heinen! and we have a deal!
habfan30,just like your Francophones looking for high draft picks with the trash you are trying to get rid of ! Does .Laine sit out every time he has a runny nose?
Sr. It’s not just Francophones, it’s anglophone fans as well. I’m suggesting Armia and Savard for Boeser. For Laine to sit out he needs 2 of the following symptoms: runny nose, chronic productive cough, sore throat, fever, malaise. Please don’t pick on Habs fans as we are enjoying our little hot streak while it lasts. Also, we are still in the Christmas spirit.
That $5million pylon is signed through 2029-30. Who in their wildest dreams wants an anchor like that?
Frederic is a throw in that nobody is looking for, the league is full of 4th liners.
Zacha is a decent player but he won’t bring back a number 1 centre.
SR, you love red herrings and trolling for things I’ve never said. I have been very clear in not wanting to move vets for draft picks, Habs have a full prospect pool, and tons of picks this year and next.
As for Laine, he has 8g in 13 gp, you’d love to have that production, not to mention Habs got Laine AND a 2nd round pick for a spare d-man.
Boston fanboy special !!
LMAO
How are your top 6 forwards Dach and Newhook working out?
Sr,
unlike you and your fanboy trade proposals of dumping trash in return for gold ,I’m not offering Dach and Newhook to anybody for a crazy return.
EP to Anaheim for:
Zegras, Luneau and two firstrounders.
What would each Canadian team have to give up to get Pettersen?