A couple months ago I would have been opposed to trading Miller because of all the positive impacts he has on the game. But with obvious issues remaining from the Benning decade of incompetence the Canucks are in a tough spot cap wise, and don’t have young players coming in on entry level deals to help supplement the depth on the team, and having traded our last 2 first round picks we don’t have any help coming in the next 2-3 years (some potential bottom of the line up players maybe but nothing for the top 6 Fs or top 4 D). So trading Miller now could maximize return and help with an adjustment to our competitive time line. Having looked over the league, these are the teams that make the most sense for Miller.
Boston - need a #2 C that could be a #1 and let Bergeron age with grace. At full pop, Bruins have cap space but retention is always helpful. Problem is I don’t see the pieces the Canucks should want in a Miller trade.
Colorado - Don’t NEED Miller this season, but he could definitely help as he plays all forward positions and all situations. The true value in my opinion would be next season. I think Kadri will price himself out of Colorado so Miller would provide a replacement for next season and a stop gap until Newhook is ready to be the #2 behind MacKinnon. With full retention the Avs would be in a situation to add further depth for next season as well. I could see Miller making consecutive cups a possibility in the Mile High city. Ask would be some collection of Helleson, Barron, 1st, other picks (not all that but 3 pieces I would imagine).
Carolina - You can never have too much depth, and with Trocheck an upcoming UFA the Canes have a need for next year. Very similar logic to Colorado, 2 cup runs and a $2.7 cap hit for a top 2 C is pretty amazing. Would need to be a package of picks and higher end prospects like Drury, Rees, Suzuki, Heimosalmi although none of those really jump off the page to me.
LA - they have been rumoured to be after another top 6 forward. Miller provides positional flexibility and the Kings have the prospects to make a deal for Miller. Canucks would be interested in a few of the kings forward prospects preferably C and a couple D prospects - assuming Clarke and Byfield are obviously off the table.
Minny - very similar to both Carolina and Colorado where 50% retention makes this deal enticing for next season. The Wild will be in cap crunch mode next season, but to have the opportunity to have a top 2 C with a cap hit of $2.625 might extend the Wild window another year, while their elc players develop. This would still require player movement for the Wild, but they won’t find a more skilled C available for under $3 million. Assuming Rossi and Boldy are off the table it that next tier of prospect would need to be included (Lambos, Addison, etc.)
I could also see teams like NJ, CBJ and Pittsburg having interest and the media report that NYR are “all over Miller” but it doesn’t make as much sense to me as the teams listed above.
