The ongoing drama around the Vancouver Canucks took an interesting turn Saturday night as a report surfaced the team could consider trading both J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.
A once-private, now-public spat has boiled over, with the Canucks suggesting they would be open to trading the 26-year-old Pettersson, who is in the first year of an eight-year extension.
But the latest report, coming from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Saturday Headlines, highlighted how the Canucks front office are examining multiple angles for how to move forward.
The Canucks are quiet this weekend… So in calling around, this is what I can tell. It’s that the Canucks are definitely, definitely looking at the market for both players, and you should be prepared for all outcomes. There’s really three of them: neither gets dealt, one of them gets dealt, or both get dealt. That’s on the table, and I don’t want to predict the likelihood of any particular scenario, but I think all three of those outcomes are possible.
Other things I can tell, just from making the calls, if the Canucks do make a trade, they’re going to need a centre in return. I know the Canucks fans right now are concerned about the defence with Hughes and Hronek injured, but I believe the team has prioritized centre in a return, more than the blue line, because obviously they would be trading a centre if one or both was to go.
As part of the package, I would assume it would be a package, back for either of those two players, a centre would be a priority as part of it.
Trading one of the two would be a significant move in and of itself, but trading both would constitute a major roster reconstruction. Over the last three years prior to this, Miller and Pettersson rank first and second in points among Canucks, with the former scoring 101 goals and 284 points in 242 games and the latter scoring 105 goals and 259 points in as many games.

Ducks sign Vatrano to three-year extension with deferred salary

The Anaheim Ducks signed winger Frank Vatrano to an interesting three-year, $18-million contract extension on Sunday which will see the 30-year-old receive part of his extension in deferred money.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the base salary of Vatrano’s deal will see him earn $3-million per year, while the other $9-million will be deferred. That money will begin being paid in 2035 at a rate of $900,000 over 10 years.
“His plan is to live outside of California (and its tax system) at that point in retirement,” LeBruin tweeted Sunday.
The deal, he added, will carry a cap hit of $4.57-million, saving the Ducks $1.43-million off what his cap hit would be on a traditional contract.
Here’s more from Daily Faceoff’s Tyler Kuehl:
In a video posted on X, the Massachusetts native says he’s excited to see what the future holds with the team.
“Ever since my family and I got here three years ago, fans, teammates and staff welcomed us with open arms,” Vatrano said. “It’s something that we’ll be forever grateful for. I see how bright our future is here. We’re making turns in the right direction to build a winning culture and ultimately bring a Stanley Cup here to Anaheim…I’m excited to help this team grow and be part of the future here.”
Through 37 games this season, Vatrano has scored nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points. He is coming off a career-best season, scoring 37 goals and 60 points during the 2023-24 campaign.
In 601 NHL appearances, Vatrano has scored 169 goals and 122 assists for 291 points. He’s also posted 16 points in 34 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Other news…

  • The Los Angeles Kings placed winger Arthur Kaliyev on waivers Sunday. The 23-year-old missed time earlier this season suffering a broken clavicle, and has yet to play an NHL game this season, though he did play five for their AHL affiliate Ontario Reign, scoring one goal and two points on a conditioning stint. Drafted by the team in the second round of the 2019 draft, he’s scored 35 goals and 71 points in 188 NHL games.
  • With the 4 Nations Face-Off fast approaching, Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand, who will represent Canada, doesn’t think anybody will take the tournament lightly. “Guys will be out for blood,” he said Saturday. “It’s not an exhibition match. Doesn’t matter how quick it’s thrown together. You want to make [Canada] and your team proud.”
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, and senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.