Jim Rutherford Reveals Shocking Behind-The-Scenes Details Leading Up To J.T. Miller Trade
Photo credit: NHL
Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford recently shared the behind-the-scenes details leading up to the J.T. Miller trade in January.
One of the biggest stories off the ice in the National Hockey League this season was the reported feud in Vancouver between now former teammates J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.
The Vancouver Canucks worked tirelessly towards a solution to keep both players with the club, but ultimately Patrik Allvin traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers for a package that included defensive prospect Victor Mancini, forward Filip Chytil and a first round pick.
Jim Rutherford shares behind-the-scenes details leading up to J.T. Miller trade
During a recent interview on the 100% Hockey podcast with John Shannon and Daren Millard, Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford opened up on the drama this season surrounding J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.
Rutherford shared that he believes the feud between Miller and Pettersson went beyond the two players and that it went throughout the team's dressing room and it affected their chemistry this season.
He went on to say that J.T. Miller tried his hardest to fix the situation, but it reached a point where the organization believed it was beyond fixing and that the team had to take a look at trade possibilities, and in early January, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the club explored the market on both players.
"I don't believe the issue was limited to just two people. It filtered through most of the team and affected our overall chemistry." Rutherford said.
He added, "I genuinely think J.T. tried hard to help fix the situation. Many within our organization worked on it. But once we reached a point where the organization collectively felt the situation couldn't be fixed, we had to explore all possible options."
He added, "I genuinely think J.T. tried hard to help fix the situation. Many within our organization worked on it. But once we reached a point where the organization collectively felt the situation couldn't be fixed, we had to explore all possible options."
Rutherford shared that J.T. Miller eventually approached him and the team's management group to express that he'd like to have a fresh start with a different organization.
"I would like to move on and get a fresh start." Miller reportedly said to Jim Rutherford.
Miller got the fresh start he wished for and finished the season strong for the New York Rangers, registering 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a minus-two in 32 games.
As for Elias Pettersson, it took him a little while to get going after the Miller trade, which frustrated some, but once the calendar flipped to March he began to pick up the pace, putting up ten points in 11 games before suffering a season-ending injury against the New York Rangers.
Source: 100% Hockey With Millard & Shannon
51. Inside the Canucks with Jim Rutherford: Tocchet's Departure, Quinn Hughes' Role & Future as a Canuck, and Pettersson-Miller Dynamic
51. Inside the Canucks with Jim Rutherford: Tocchet's Departure, Quinn Hughes' Role & Future as a Canuck, and Pettersson-Miller Dynamic
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