The Vancouver Canucks have underperformed this season, causing two of their stars’ names to circulate in the rumor mill over the last several weeks.
The latest trade chatter has focused on center J.T. Miller, and one NHL insider believes the Boston Bruins could be the “dark horse” in landing the elite superstar.
“I haven’t heard a lot of people talking about the Boston Bruins,” Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said on “NHL Coast to Coast” on Sports on Prime Canada on Thursday. “Their need for a top-end center has been well documented. We’ve also heard Cam Neely, their president of hockey operations, hint at the idea that, ‘Hey, we might have to rejig somethings here based on the way this season has played out.'”
Seravalli continued: “I do believe that the Boston Bruins have kept very close tabs on the Miller situation with the Vancouver Canucks. I would term them as a team lurking in the weeds right now to try and monitor those prices. And wouldn’t be surprised if this continues to linger on closer to the March 7 deadline. … They’re a team that could remain in the mix.”
After a career-best season last year, during which Miller scored 37 goals and 103 points, the 31-year-old has scored just eight goals and 33 points in 37 games this season. Despite his struggles this season, Miller has been an excellent player for the Canucks notching 435 points across 401 games for Vancouver.
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There’s a lot of upside to the Bruins bringing in Miller, with the exception of his contract — he has five years left on his seven-year, $56 million contract extension he signed with the Canucks in 2023.
If Boston is in the mix to land the superstar, money would have to go out. Sweeney’s comments after the Bruins fired Jim Montgomery in mid-November indicated he’d be willing to rearrange the NHL roster if he saw an opportunity to improve. Neely also said the Bruins could possibly “retool” the roster at the trade deadline.
Featured image via Bob Frid/Imagn Images
