Canucks offload disgruntled star J.T. Miller in trade with Rangers amid rift with teammate

The team received Miller and defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom, while sending center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a protected 2025 first round draft pick to Vancouver. 

Shortly after that, Miller commented on his relationship with Petersson.

The relationship became untenable between the pair as time went on.

After Miller was benched in the third period of the Canucks 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 17, the Canucks announced that Miller had taken a leave of absence on Nov. 20. Miller missed ten games, with his absence spanning a month.

Miller's absence was 10 games, and the rift between the pair was brought up again. Both players were soon in trade rumors. 

Miller has always played with an edge, and Rangers general manager Chris Drury hopes that Miller can channel that edge he plays with to jolt the Rangers. 

"I want to thank J.T. for his time here in Vancouver," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. "J.T. was a passionate impact player and good leader for our hockey team. Moving him was not an easy decision but we are pleased with our return from the Rangers. Both Filip and Victor are good additions for our club, and we are excited to see what they bring to us on the ice."

Miller is in the second year of a seven-year, $56 million deal. The Canucks did not retain any money on Miller's contract in the trade. 

This season, Miller has nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games after setting career highs last season in goals (37) and assists (66) last season. 

With the addition of Miller, the Rangers' top three centers now are: Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad and Miller, a strong group on paper. 

During his first stint in New York, Miller had 72 goals and 100 assists in 341 games. For his career, Miller has totaled 247 goals and 427 assists in 839 games.

The main prize of the trade for the Canucks is Chytil, who has 75 goals and 89 assists in 378 career games, including 11 goals and nine assists in 41 games this season.

Chytil missed all but 10 games with concussion issues last season but has shown flashes of stardom when healthy. 

"Heard some really good things," Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said of Chytil. "I heard he's very excited to come. Mancini I hear is a really big defenseman, young, that can play. Yeah, I think there's some stuff to work with."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.