NHL insider questions if NY Rangers would include $52,150,000 forward instead of Mika Zibanejad in blockbuster trade package for J.T. Miller 

According to reports, the futures of forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson with the Vancouver Canucks remain questionable. Both players are reportedly involved in trade discussions, with some sources hinting at a potential rift between them in the locker room.

Additionally, Sportsnet insider Eliotte Friedman reported last week that the Canucks are open to listening to trade offers for both players, with GM Patrik Alvin adding "anything is possible."

However, the team's conversations with other clubs extend beyond these two, as they are also looking to trade a top-four defenseman and add an offensive mid-six winger. As the Canucks' top brass assess their options, there is no certainty that either of these two stars will be traded this season or at all.

Teams like the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings are reported to be interested in J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.

In particular to the Blueshirts, hockey insider David Pagnotta of "The Fourth Period" raised the question of whether the Rangers would be willing to make Alex Lafreniere (currently inked to a $52 million contract with the Rangers) the centerpiece of a significant return for Miller instead of Mika Zibanejad.

"The Rangers covet Miller. Great, but does New York have an appetite to include Alexis Lafreniere, not Mike Zibanejad, as the centrepiece of a large return?" Pagnotta wrote in his latest TFP column.

Pagnotta also speculated that the Buffalo Sabres are interested in acquiring Elias Pettersson. However, the question arises whether the Sabres would be willing to package Owen Power, rather than Bowen Byram along with Dylan Cozens to facilitate a trade for the star center.

Trading players like Miller and Pettersson comes with challenges. Both are locked into long-term contracts, making them controllable assets for the Canucks. Additionally, neither player has asked for a trade, complicating the situation further as the team weighs its options.

HC Rick Tocchet heaps praise on J.T. Miller despite loss to Canadiens

J.T. Miller had a standout four-point performance in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. Despite the defeat, coach Rick Tocchet praised Miller for his strong outing in the game.

"He's trying to do the right things. He's had a tough start with training camp. A couple things were bothering him obviously, when he was out for about a month. He's starting to find his game [and] he played hell of a game for us tonight," Tocchet said.

Miller has accumulated 29 points through eight goals and 21 assists in 29 games this season.