Insider confirms JT Miller was nearly scratched for Oilers game due to imminent trade
Before tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers, Canucks star JT Miller was nearly healthy scratched due to a trade being close to completion.
After JT Miller was singled out on the Canucks bench and clearly emotional in his post game press conference, there were reports that Miller had already played his last game as a Canucks.
Miller in Canucks lineup, but trade was close to complete prior to game
According to Elliotte Friedman on Saturday's Headlines tonight, the Canucks were very close to trading Miller today, and have now granted teams permission to talk to him.
There was a time over the last 24 hours where JT Miller was not going to play. He was going to be held out of the lineup, because talks were progressing on a trade. I believe that team is the New York Rangers, and I don't know exactly what happened, but that trade is off right now.
Some teams do have permission to talk to Miller. Not sure who it is, but I've heard there are some teams that have been granted permission to him.
- Elliotte Friedman
Moving JT Miller has become a necessity for the Canucks as the rift between him and Elias Pettersson has deteriorated into a sideshow.
With the aim of being a playoff team, they simply can't have the distraction of a feud between two star players. The situation has even reportedly been wearing on captain Quinn Hughes and coach Rick Tocchet.
Tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers could very well be Miller's last game with the Vancouver Canucks. If the Oilers can pull off a convincing blowout win over their rivals, it may just be the push they need to trade him.
POLL |
JANVIER 18 | 414 ANSWERS Insider confirms JT Miller was nearly scratched for Oilers game due to imminent trade Do you think Miller will play his last game with the Canucks tonight? |
Yes | 217 | 52.4 % |
No | 197 | 47.6 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Ryan Hall Canadian defenceman answers if he'll go after Matthew Tkachuk in 4 Nations Final |
|
3 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Team USA loses multiple key players to injury against Sweden, helping Canada in Finals |
|
4 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Team Sweden makes last minute change with Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson |
|
5 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Ticket prices for Team Canada and USA 4 Nations Faceoff Final will break the bank for fans |
|
6 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Nathan MacKinnon teases response to Team USA before rematch in 4 Nations Faceoff Final |
|
8 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Connor McDavid speaks on Team Canada's near collapse vs Finland, final matchup against USA |
|
10 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Swedish source reveals Mattias Ekholm health status and reason for scratch at 4 Nations |
|
11 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Two Oilers surprisingly scratched for elimination game at 4 Nations Faceoff |
Previously on Oilers Daily