What This Western Conference Team Would Have to Give up To Trade For J.T Miller..
It's not news that the Vancouver Canucks have been rumored to move their high scoring forward, J.T. Miller. His 32 goals, 67 assists in 80 games this season means he's a valuable offensive weapon.
He also contributed to the power play with eight tallies and 30 assists. Adding six games winning goals is also on his resume.
While he has been rumored to go to teams like the New York Rangers, another Pacific foe may be in the mix to add him to their roster.
The Los Angeles Kings are looking for some additional scoring, and Miller's 99 points would certainly help in that endeavor.
He has a very reasonable $5.25 million cap hit through next season, but the Vancouver Canucks are facing some cap issues. Not only will Miller be due a new upgraded (like in the $8M neighborhood) contract, but so will captain Bo Horvat who makes $5.5M.
Then, to add salt to the wound, star forward Brock Boeser is due a $7.5M qualifying offer by July 13. Three star players, and not enough cap space to spare.
So, what would it take to get Miller to the Kings? A lot.
For starters, the Canucks will want a good prospect. Someone like Brandt Clark who was the Kings #8 pick in 2021. He stands 6'-2", 185 pounds and played for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. He tallied 11 goals, 48 assists in 55 games. Quite the playmaker.
Aside from that, the Vancouver club will want the Kings first round #19 pick too. Then according to Lisa Dillman of theathletic.com, Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Tobias Bjornfot, Sean Durzi, Jacob Moverare and Jordan Spence could be trade chips.
Don't forget we're talking about a top-line forward who can play center and wing in Miller.
Vilardi could be included, but he has had injury issues. Then Iafallo would certainly help replace some of Miller's scoring if he were included in a deal. He collected 17 goals and 37 points this season.
Bjornfot is a young 21 year old defenseman from Sweden. He has eight assists in 70 games in LA this season.
Durzi has some upside to play offense from the blueline with 27 points, three goals in 64 games. He will be 24 years old in October.
Moverare may be retained, but Spence has somewhat of a good side to consider as well. He hails from Manly, Australia and had eight points, with two goals in 24 games with the Kings this season.
There's plenty to choose from to make a deal work for both clubs. Miller could be the heir apparent Anze Kopitar who will be turning 35 years old in August. That is of course, if the Kings acquire Miller and can extend him to a long-term contract.
The remaining factor in all of this is do the Kings want Miller or Jakob Chychrun?
They can't have both.
| POLL | ||
Could the LA Kings trade for star forward J.T. Miller? | ||
| Yes, it would help them | 30 | 30.6 % |
| No, Kings want Chychrun more | 15 | 15.3 % |
| Too much to give up to get Miller | 26 | 26.5 % |
| We'll see | 27 | 27.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
