Potential NHL Landing Spots for Vancouver Canucks Forward J.T. Miller

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller was the subject of trade gossip for several months last season. The 29-year-old has also been a fixture in this offseason's rumor mill.

Miller is in the final season of a five-year contract with an average annual value of $5.25 million and lacks no-trade protection. The versatile, late-blooming star had a career-best 99-point performance last season, leading the Canucks and finishing ninth among all NHL scorers.

Miller will likely receive a big payday on his next contract. Whether it's with the Canucks, however, remains to be seen.

During an appearance on the Dropping The Gloves podcast earlier this month (h/t Vancouver Hockey Now's Rob Simpson), Miller said he wanted to be in Vancouver but would also understand if it's not meant to be. He acknowledged it's a business decision for both sides.

On a recent episode of the Sekeres & Price podcast, CHEK-TV's Rick Dhaliwal suggested Nazem Kadri's new seven-year contract with the Calgary Flames could work in Miller's favor. He doubted the Canucks center would accept anything less than a seven- or eight-year deal.

Dhaliwal also considers Miller comparable to Mika Zibanejad. The New York Rangers center is the same age as his Canucks counterpart and is in the first season of an eight-year contract worth $8.5 million annually.

The Canucks could trade Miller if they don't reach an agreement on a contract extension. That could happen close to the 2023 trade deadline if they're out of playoff contention. They might seek a return that includes a first-round pick, a top prospect and/or a promising young NHL player to align with young stars Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.

Here are five potential landing spots for Miller if he ends up in this season's trade market. Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney ensured his club had veteran depth for 2022-23 by signing captain Patrice Bergeron and bringing back David Krejci to affordable one-year contracts. However, those moves are merely short-term measures that paper over the club's need for long-term depth among their top-six centers.

Sweeney could have his eye on Miller if he becomes available in next summer's unrestricted free-agent market. He'll have $58.1 million invested in 13 players for 2023-24, with perhaps another $10 million allocated for re-signing winger David Pastrnak. However, the Bruins could still have enough cap space to sign Miller to a long-term contract.

However, they could have a more immediate need for help at center if Bergeron and/or Krejci struggle to play up to their usual high standards. Both are now in their late-30s, and the grind of a long NHL season could catch up with them, potentially threatening the Bruins' chances of reaching the 2023 playoffs.

Miller is still in his prime and would be a solid addition to their first or second line. His ability to play left wing could prove useful if Brad Marchand remains sidelined longer than expected by offseason hip surgery or if Taylor Hall should suffer an injury. Acquiring him this season would also give the Bruins exclusive negotiating rights for the remainder of the season.

The Bruins' limited cap space for this season means the Canucks would have to retain part of Miller's $5.25 million cap hit. They might have to offer up winger Jake DeBrusk ($4 million cap hit) or right-side defenseman Brandon Carlo ($4.1 million) and either a first-round pick or a promising prospect such as Fabian Lysell.

Nazem Kadri's departure to the Calgary Flames in free agency left a big void at center on the Colorado Avalanche's second line. They could start the season with J.T. Compher or Alex Newhook in that role.

If they struggle, general manager Chris MacFarland could cast his eye northward to Miller.

The Avalanche have an All-Star core of talent led by Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. However, his club will face pressure to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. He could make a move by the trade deadline to address that potential weakness on his second line.

Miller's offense and two-way skills would make him an excellent fit in Colorado. His ability to also play left wing would give the Avalanche options if one of their top-six left wingers suffers an injury.

The Avalanche currently have a projected $18.2 million in trade deadline cap space. That would give them sufficient room to take on Miller's $5.25 million cap hit. Still, MacFarland will likely have to send some salary to the Canucks or ask them to retain part of Miller's cap hit to ensure sufficient wiggle room for other moves down the stretch.

Samuel Girard could be the centerpiece of the Canucks' asking price given their need for younger, talented depth on their right defense. The Avs have no picks in the second, third and fourth rounds of next year's NHL draft, so they could be unwilling to part with their 2023 first-rounder.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen surprised the hockey world by signing Johnny Gaudreau to a seven-year contract. Perhaps he'll have another trick up his sleeve by pursuing Miller in this season's trade market.

The Blue Jackets possess two elite wingers in Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, but they lack a true first-line center. Boone Jenner's best season was 49 points in 2015-16, while Jack Roslovic appears better suited for second-line duty. Cole Sillinger, 19, had a promising 31-point performance as a rookie last season, but he isn't ready yet for full-time first-line duty.

Miller would be a terrific addition to the Blue Jackets. Putting him with the playmaking Gaudreau and a pure goal scorer such as Laine would give the Jackets a dominating first line that few teams could match. It could turn this rebuilding club into a playoff contender.

The Jackets are bumping against the $82.5 million salary cap for 2022-23 but should garner cap relief by demoting one or two depth players to the minors. Nevertheless, they'll be pressed for cap space throughout this season.

Pursuing Miller could mean getting the Canucks to retain part of his $5.25 million cap hit. Kekalainen could include a salaried player like Roslovic or perhaps defenseman Jake Bean in the deal. Along with a first-round pick, the Canucks could also ask for a promising youngster such as Sillinger, Kent Johnson or Yegor Chinakhov.

A lack of offense contributed to the New York Islanders missing the 2022 postseason. Their 2.79 goals per game last season ranked 23rd in the league. Brock Nelson and Anders Lee were the only players to exceed 20 goals, while none of their scorers reached 60 points.

That popgun offense sparked speculation this summer linking the Islanders to free-agent forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Nazem Kadri. With Gaudreau joining the Columbus Blue Jackets and Kadri signing with the Calgary Flames, general manager Lou Lamoriello could set his sights on Miller instead.

In mid-July, the New York Post's Ethan Sears relayed that a deal was reportedly close between the Isles and Canucks for Miller before falling apart during the 2022 NHL draft. Perhaps Lamoriello will revisit those discussions if the Isles are in playoff contention by the 2023 trade deadline.

The Canucks could ask for the Isles' 2023 first-rounder as part of the return. They could also request a prospect such as William Dufour or Aatu Raty or a young NHLer such as Oliver Wahlstrom.

Lamoriello could insist on the Canucks taking on Josh Bailey and his $5 million cap hit through 2023-24. However, they might prefer a young winger such as Anthony Beauvillier and his more affordable $4.2 million cap hit.

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom faces an uncertain future after undergoing a hip resurfacing procedure in mid-June. While the 34-year-old hopes to rejoin his teammates at some point this season, there's no timetable for his return. As a result, the Capitals added some insurance by signing Dylan Strome to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.

Backstrom could miss the entire season and possibly longer. Ryan Kesler underwent a similar procedure following the 2018-19 season and never played again. If the long-time Capitals center faces a similar fate and if Strome struggles, perhaps general manager Brian MacLellan will look into acquiring Miller before the trade deadline.

Evgeny Kuznetsov plays first-line center alongside Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin. Miller would slot in well on their second line, where he would provide a big boost alongside Anthony Mantha and Connor Brown.

The Capitals are $6.3 million above the $82.5 million salary cap, but they can remain there during the season by placing Backstrom and his $9.2 million annual cap hit on long-term injured reserve. If MacLellan were to pursue a deal for Miller, he could ask the Canucks to retain half of his $5.25 million cap hit.

Acquiring Miller will likely cost the Capitals their 2023 first-round pick and perhaps a promising young player such as Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre or Ivan Miroshnichenko. They could also attempt to move out some salary by offering up Strome in the return.

Stats via NHL.com. Salary info and line combinations via Cap Friendly.