The more I think about it the more I don't get it for Vancouver.
Even prior to the Miller trade, the Canucks weren't beating VGK/DAL/COL. It'd be maybe a tossup vs WPG/MIN/LA/EDM. But now after trading their best forward, they don't even have a hope in hell at beating those other 4 teams either. So why trade a 1st for a rental, even one you want to sign?
What Vancouver should've done, if they're hellbent on trading Miller, is admit this is a lost year and get a D in the offseason. Tell EP "ok we've rolled out the red carpet. We've given you an overpaid contract, we traded the big meanie. Now you've got 2 months to show us something or we're trading your bitchass to Buffalo or Columbus."
If he steps up then great, you've got your guy and go sign MP. If not, trade him for Byram and Cozens, and go shopping in UFA and with trades