NHL analyst makes eye-opening prediction about Canucks HC amid J.T. Miller-Elias Pettersson 'drama-filler season'

NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun weighed in on the reported J.T. Miller-Elias Pettersson debacle for the Vancouver Canucks. The eight-week-long saga is grabbing all the headlines in the news among widespread speculation from fans, analysts and insiders.

LeBrun, a columnist for The Athletic, claimed on Tuesday that the Canucks had sent out feelers gauging the depth of the trade market regarding offers for Miller and/or Pettersson. He also speculated about the team’s head coach Rick Tocchet’s decisions regarding his future.

“If this drama-filled season doesn’t straighten itself out, how does Tocchet view things in Vancouver? Just something to file away,” read LeBrun’s article in The Athletic.

Tocchet is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer as his contract is up. While Vancouver does have an extension clause in place, LeBrun said that it was up to Tocchet to decide whether to trigger it or not.

“I’m not pointing all this out because I think there’s something going on. I’m just pointing it out as a fact that seems to have been glossed over in terms of his future and his contract,” LeBrun said via TSN’s Insider Trading segment on Tuesday.

Tocchet has come in for a lot of criticism from fans and analysts for his handling of the feud between two of his top stars. But LeBrun stated the current Jack Adams Award holder is sure to be in high demand in the NHL if he decides to part ways with the Canucks.

Vancouver reportedly testing trade market for J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson

LeBrun also said that among the rumored deals for Miller and Pettersson, there were a few that rose above the surface. There was a rumor doing the rounds that the New York Rangers had made an offer for Miller involving a swap for center Mika Zibanejad. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the deal reportedly fell apart as the Rangers refused to add defenseman Braden Schneider to the deal.

Regarding Pettersson, pundit Chris Johnston reported in the same TSN’s Insider Trading segment that the Carolina Hurricanes had approached Vancouver about Pettersson. Johnston said:

"When it comes to Petterson in particular, it seems as though the Canucks are serious about considering moving him. Multiple teams are believed to have shown interest, and a third-party source points out that Carolina and Vancouver did have discussions on Pettersson last season.”

Pettersson has missed the last five games due to injury. The Canucks will make a game-time decision on whether to play him against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, according to Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy.