The New York Rangers have acquired star forward J.T. Miller in a multiplayer trade with the Vancouver Canucks.
The deal sees the Rangers receive Miller, defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom, while sending center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a protected 2025 first-round draft pick to Vancouver.
Miller, 31, has a history of being a passionate and physical player, and general manager Chris Drury hopes he can infuse that edge into the Rangers’ lineup. The move also adds depth to the team’s center position, solidifying a strong top three of Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, and Miller.
Miller was benched and eventually placed on a leave of absence by the Canucks due to tension between him and star center Elias Petersson, which has been ongoing for years. Despite professing respect for each other, the two players reportedly have a strained relationship, and the rift eventually made it untenable for both to continue on the same team.
The Canucks, meanwhile, received a package of Chytil, Mancini, and a first-round draft pick in return. Chytil, a 24-year-old center, has shown flashes of stardom in the past but has struggled with injuries, including a concussion that kept him out of most games last season. Mancini, 21, is a young defenseman with potential.
The trade is seen as a win-win for both teams, with the Rangers getting a proven playoff performer in Miller and the Canucks getting a potential top-six forward in Chytil and a steady defenseman in Mancini.