The star forwards of the Vancouver Canucks are at loggerheads Elias Pettersson and JT Miller is the biggest story in hockey right now. The rumor mill is spinning with speculation from NHL insiders and fans alike.
Sportnet's Ryan Dixon ran through the various potential blockbuster trades involving the Swedish center on Thursday. The Minnesota Wild are a likely potential destination for Pettersson, with Dixon claiming the Wild have long been looking for a top center to complement their offense.
The analyst also pointed to trade rumors regarding Minnesota's current top center. Marco Rossi. The forward's three-year contract, worth $2.59 million, expires at the end of the season.
“Marco Rossi's name has been in trade rumors this season, as has Pettersson. Rossi's play over the past month — 13 points in 12 games, though eight came during a three-game warmup — likely has quiet talk of the 23-year-old playing anywhere but the State of Hockey, Dixon wrote.
“But as far as the second contract goes, if GM Bill Guerin doesn't think he and the pending RFA (Rossi) are in the same universe and there's a player like Pettersson and his age, that could lead to a big young piece being moved. It's delicious like Rossi,” he added.
Dixon drew comparisons between Pettersson's current situation and that of former NHL players such as center Joe Thornton and defenseman Zdeno Chara. He also identifies the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabers and Anaheim Ducks as other possible trade destinations for Pettersson.
NHL analyst picks Elias Pettersson over JT Miller to stay in Vancouver
On Wednesday, sports commentator Sam Cosentino said the Vancouver Canucks should be looking JT Miller trade More than Elias Pettersson. During a “Hot Topic” panel on Sportsnet, Cosentino said Miller should go. He was also adamant that the gulf between the star players was unbridgeable.
The analyst noted that Miller's $8 million cap hit, versatility on the ice and solid playoff record make him highly marketable. He also said Miller's release would allow the Vans to deal with the situation efficiently.
“I say Miller goes, frees up Pettersson, frees up the rest of the room to be more like themselves and allows the Canucks to move forward,” he said.
For eight weeks, Miller, 31, and Pettersson, 26, have been rumored to be feuding.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos