The deal that has been circulating around the NHL news sites for seemingly ever was finally consummated on Friday night as the former Lightning forward is heading back to the New York Rangers. According to reports Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington are heading to the Rangers in exchanged for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a protected 2025 first-round pick. If the pick ends up in the top 13, the Rangers will keep it and Vancouver will receive their 2026 first-rounder.
Thus ends the J.T. Miller vs. Elias Pettersson rift in Vancouver. After months of denying any tension in the clubhouse between the two stars Jim Rutherford, the Canucks’ head of hockey operations, admitted earlier this week there was no way forward with both of them staying on the roster.
Miller agreed to wave his no-movement clause in order to facilitate the move, and it was long rumored that New York was his preferred destination. He began his career with the Rangers putting up 172 points (72 goals, 100 assists) in 341 games before he was dealt to the Lightning along with Ryan McDonagh.
The 31-year-old is in the second year of a seven-year deal that has a cap hit of $8 million per season, and it doesn’t seem like Vancouver is retaining any salary. Outside of the first-round pick, Chytil is the biggest piece heading to the Canucks. The 25-year-old is in the middle of a four-year deal and has 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 41 games, but put up 22 goals in 2022-23. Victor Mancini is a 22-year-old defenseman who has spent most of the season with Hartford.
As of right now now, both Vancouver and New York are out of the playoffs, so we’ll have to see if the move sparks either team in a positive direction.
Lightning News
Lightning reassign Goncalves and Tomkins [Tampa Bay Lightning]
With the Lightning having the day off, it appears they saved a little more cap money by reassigning Matt Tomkins and Gage Goncalves to the Syracuse Crunch. Neither appeared in the Crunch’s line-up tonight so, it’s likely just a paper transaction, and they’ll be recalled today. It’s going to be interesting if all of these moves are going to pay off at the deadline for the Lightning.
Victor Hedman named captain of Team Sweden [The Athletic]
The 34-year-old captain of the Lightning will wear the C for his home country in the 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s been an alternate captain for Sweden twice in the World Championships, but this is the first time he’s been named captain. Erik Karlsson, Mattias Ekholm, and William Nylander will be the alternates in the upcoming tournament.
For late-round picks trying to crack the NHL, all you need is a chip and a chance [The Athletic]
Brandon Hagel, a sixth-round pick by Buffalo, who wasn’t signed by the team features prominently in the article about players that fought their way into relevance despite being later picks.
Hockey News
Vegas signs Brandon Saad [NHL.com]
The former Blues forward had his pick of teams to join after having his contract terminated, and he chose Vegas. The Golden Knights acquired his services for the remainder of the season for a contract with an AAV of $1.5 million.
Flyers trade for Andrei Kuzmenko [Broad Street Hockey]
Philadelphia shook up their line-up by sending Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost to Calgary for Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pellieter, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2028 seventh-round pick. For the record, Kuzmenko briefly played with the Flyers’ prized rookie Matvei Michkov in the KHL.
NHL Salary Cap expected to grow over next three seasons [ESPN]
The general managers around the league are expected to get confirmation on what next season’s salary cap will be prior to the trade deadline, and if it’s anywhere near the number reported in a memo from the league and players’ association that circulated around on Friday, it could make for an even more interesting deadline. Right now the cap is at $88 million, and earlier in the season it was expected to rise to about $92 million. According to the memo, it could be set at $95.5 million next year, $104 million in 2026-27, and $113.5 million in 2027-28. We’re sure the GMs will spend that money wisely.
Yanni Gourde out for 5-7 weeks after successful hernia surgery [Davy Jones’ Locker Room]
A popular name on the trade boards, Yanni Gourde, has been out of the line-up since the beginning of January. The recovery time frame could push past the deadline, so if a team deals for him, they could be getting a bit of an unknown commodity.
4 Nations Face-Off uniforms unveiled [SportsLogos.Net]
At $500 a shot, that’s a lot of hockey related revenue coming into the league’s coffers (which in the end helps the cap go up). On a whole, some really classic designs.
