There’s plenty of noise behind the scenes that J.T. Miller is about to be traded. He’s not pouting. He’s working.
There were a few things you might have expected. Depth players such as Mark Friedman and Max Sasson were on the ice. When you’re on the edge of the roster, it’s expected that you will show up to everything. You’ve got to show how much you want it, every moment.
Vancouver’s star centre may not be a Canuck for much longer, if you believe public reporting at the national and local level and what sources are telling reporters behind the scene.
Canucks GM Patrik Allvin spoke in ambivalent terms on Monday about the trade talks he is, or isn’t, having, but it’s clear that Miller’s days in Vancouver are almost certainly numbered.
The Canucks’ successes have also been due to their performance.
And it’s important that Miller does keep showing up. There have been nights of late where you’ve wondered if he’s been there.
But on Saturday night against the Oilers, there was no doubt he was there. He did an admirable job slowing down Connor McDavid. He was a vital cog in the power play, too, which showed not just potential but found results, scoring twice.
And yes, there he was on Tuesday morning. This is his job, after all. He’s not pouting. He’s working.
Meanwhile, the rumour mill spins and spins.
The latest suggestion is Carolina might be considering Miller. Perhaps a surprising connection, given how well they have played this season. But the best teams never stop trying to get better. Maybe they need a bit of piss and vinegar in their life.
There was a near-trade on Saturday with the New York Rangers, everyone seems to have concluded. Whatever the Rangers wanted out of the Canucks, Allvin wasn’t ready to give. It does seem like the GM is pushing the point that he’s not desperate to make a move, even if everyone knows that the team has decided to move on.
So will the Rangers re-enter the frame, or have they even left the frame at all?
And what about past interest from the Devils, Bruins and Stars?
Is this all just a big effort to build a market? Sure seems like it.
And the more Miller shows up to work, as he did on Tuesday morning to prepare, as he did on Saturday to perform, it does stand to reason the better the trade will be. The better he plays, the better the landing spot could yet be.