Don't know why people think this is such a terrible return for Vancouver. I'm not saying they won the trade, but it's not that bad, especially considering they didn't have the best leverage.
Chytil is basically a second line center, but he's always injured and there's vets with clauses and track records that coaches apparently can't bench and GM's can't trade. He's a good player. He'll be a 2C for Vancouver, as long as he can stay healthy. He's also 6 years younger than Miller.
First obviously is a big part of the deal. Rangers very well might not make the playoffs, and then that either makes it 14-16 or an unprotected first next year (which comes with tons of danger for the Rangers).
Mancini is a good player, and is way better than he's ranked in prospect rankings. The people who don't follow the team will think he's roster filler, but he's been trending towards becoming at least a regular 3rd pair defenseman, and potentially a second pair defenseman the last six months. Not a player I'd want to give up. He's as good or better of a prospect than Emery, who we drafted round one in 2024. But we could afford to trade him because we have amazing RHD depth. Someone had to go. Can't play 5 RHD at once.
Obviously I'm happy with this trade as a Rangers fan. Getting a 100 point player for none of our best assets is a no-brainer, and we are a team trying to win. We lack a 1C because Zibanejad has forgotten how to play hockey, and now JTM can fill that hole. He's aged better, and maybe this means Zibanejad is forced out in the offseason. I don't like giving up Chytil or a first or Mancini, but we were always going to get rid of a RHD at some point, so whatever with Mancini. Don't like giving up Chytil, but whatever with his injuries and we have three centers now that would presumably force him to the wing. And I'm not going to make the biggest deal in the world about giving up a first for a team that is trying to win now and just gained a 100 point player. Team got better from this trade. Now they need to wake up, and start playing a lot better than they have this season. Can't be trading for Miller and having the season end with missing the playoffs or a first round exit.