Paul Bissonnette speculates Rangers GM Chris Drury plotting blockbuster trade for $56,000,000 Canucks' forward

Paul Bissonnette talked about rumors of a possible trade between the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. Speaking on Tuesday's episode of the "Spittin’ Chiclets" podcast, he said that Rangers general manager Chris Drury might be willing to make major moves to acquire J.T. Miller.

Miller is on a seven-year $56 million contract with an $8 million cap hit per season. He signed the deal in September 2022. Last season, Miller had a career-high 103 points and has continued to play well this campaign. He has eight goals and 21 assists in 32 games, with most of his points coming in wins. The Canucks are fifth in the Pacific Division with a 19-13-10 record.

Bissonnette suggested that the deal could include Mika Zibanejad and possibly a top defender like Braden Schneider or K’Andre Miller.

"I definitely think that if Mika Zibanejad was going to Vancouver, if there was a possibility, " Bissonnette said (2:32:00). "And he didn't wave whatever he has to wave, it would have to be coming with at least a big defender, whether it's Schneider, whether it's K'Andre Miller or something else."

Mika Zibanejad is on an eight-year $68 million contract with an $8.5 million cap hit. This season, he has eight goals and 19 assists in 42 games. His points have been higher in wins, with 21 in 20 victories. In losses, his production has dropped to just six points in 22 games.

"But I said it a few pods, I think that Drury is in desperation mode and he would do nasty, nasty things in order to acquire J.T. Miller," Bissonnette said. "But we talked about it with a lot of the other trades, you have to give something up."

The Rangers have already made big roster changes, trading Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko earlier this season, as Drury seems focused on reshaping the team.

The Athletic’s Josh Yohe on the rejected trade between Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers

The Athletic’s Josh Yohe wrote on Jan. 7 about the Vancouver Canucks rejecting to trade K'Andre Miller for Mike Zibanejad.

"Speaking of Vancouver, there is plenty of chatter out there about Pittsburgh-area native J.T. Miller," Yohe wrote. "Earlier this season, the Rangers offered struggling center Mika Zibanejad to Vancouver in return for Miller. The Canucks turned down the offer. It’s no secret that the Rangers are very interested in Miller, who was drafted by New York in 2011 and played his first six NHL seasons there."

It will be interesting to see if the two teams will agree to terms on J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad's trade situation.