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.