Disagreement reported between Vancouver Canucks star forwards Elias Pettersson JT Miller is the biggest story in hockey right now. Rumors are rife with speculation from NHL insiders and fans.
Sportnet’s Ryan Dixon laid out various potential blockbuster trades involving the Swedish center on Thursday. Dickerson claimed that the Minnesota Wild could be a potential destination for Pettersson, as the Wild have long been looking for a top center to round out their offense.
The analyst also pointed to trade rumors regarding Minnesota’s current top center, Marco Rossi. The $2.59 million forward’s three-year contract expires at the end of this season.
“Marco Rossi’s name has been in trade rumors this season, just like Pettersson’s. Rossi’s performance over the past month or so – 13 points in 12 games, eight of them That came in three scrimmages — and will likely put to rest any talk of the 23-year-old playing anywhere but the Hockey State,” Dickson wrote.
“But if general manager Bill Guerin doesn’t think he and the pending RFA (Rossi) are in the same universe in terms of a second contract and have someone of the same type and age as Pettersson player, then that might make moving a great young player like Rossi delicious,” he added.
Dickerson compared Pettersson’s current situation to that of former NHL players like center Joe Thornton and defenseman Zdeno Chara. He also pointed to the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabers and Anaheim Ducks as other possible trade destinations for Pettersson.
NHL analysts pick Elias Pettersson over JT Miller to stay in Vancouver
On Wednesday, sports commentator Sam Cosentino thought the Vancouver Canucks should look to Trade JT Miller Not Elias Pettersson. Speaking on Sportsnet’s “Hot Topics” panel, Cosentino said Miller should be the one eliminated. He also firmly believes that the rift between star players is unhealable.
Analysts say Miller’s $8 million salary cap hit, on-ice versatility and solid playoff record make him highly marketable. He also said that offloading Miller would allow the Vans to solve problems effectively.
“I say with Miller gone, it frees up Pettersson and allows other guys in the room to be more like themselves and allows the Canucks to move forward,” he said.
Rumors of a feud between Miller, 31, and Pettersson, 26, have been circulating for eight weeks.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos