The Vancouver Canucks finally put an end to the non-stop speculation surrounding their team by trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on Friday night.
But even though it was a move that was over a month in the making, it still hit Canucks captain Quinn Hughes hard.
"You know to see him go, he's a heck of a hockey player and I enjoyed playing with him for the six I had," Hughes told Sportsnet's Dan Murphy after the Canucks' 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Friday. "Obviously wish him the best... Right now, it doesn't even really seem real, but next couple weeks, I'm sure it will sink in a little bit."
Hughes, who will team up with Miller for the U.S. at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, said he thinks his now-former Vancouver teammate is excited for a clean slate in New York.
"I think there's just been a lot of noise, for Millsy, too, it's been a lot on him," Hughes said. "I think he's looking forward to a fresh start, but we're obviously going to miss him here, he played a lot of good hockey for us."
The "noise" Hughes was referring to was a months-long narrative between Miller and Elias Pettersson, during which the rumoured rift between the Canucks' top two centremen has been affecting the team, both on-ice and off.
Pettersson evaded questions about his relationship with Miller after Friday's game. He did state that losing Miller was a big blow, but also said the team has no choice but to move on.
"We lose a skillful power forward, I mean, his play speaks for itself," Pettersson said. "But all we can do now is look forward and wish him the best."
Is Pettersson ready for the added pressure on him with Miller gone?
"Honestly I want that pressure," he said. "I want that pressure and it's up to me to take it."
A trade of Miller or Pettersson seemed almost inevitable after general manager Patrik Allvin and team president Jim Rutherford confirmed this week that there was a debilitating discord between Miller and Pettersson and promised changes.
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has been around long enough to understand the business side of the league, but also knows his team is losing an important part of their locker room.
"Millsy has played great hockey for the Canucks and myself," Tocchet said after Friday's game. "Obviously a heart and soul guy. I think he's going to do well over there."
Miller began his career with the Rangers and played six seasons in New York before being traded to Tampa Bay in 2018.
The 31-year-old forward joined the Canucks ahead of the 2019-20 season and was in the midst of his sixth season in Vancouver.
Last season Miller hit career-highs in goals (37) and points (103) to lead the Canucks to a Pacific Division title, but the East Palestine, Ohio, native has suffered a turbulent 2024-25. Miller had 16 points in the first 17 games of the season (six goals, 11 assists) before taking a 10-game leave of absence for personal reasons.
In exchange for Miller, defencemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom, the Canucks received centre Filip Chytil, defenceman Victor Mancini and a conditional first-round pick from the Rangers.
After Friday's loss to the Stars, the Canucks remain one point back of the Calgary Flames for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
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