Trade completed with the Lightning five years ago: Canucks clear-cut winner in the J.T. Miller deal
It shook the hockey world when, on June 22, 2019, Jim Benning closed a deal bringing the star player J.T. Miller to Vancouver. He was a former Rangers' 15th overall who had yet to reach the superstar potential he was meant for.
BENNING'S BEST TRADE?
Benning took a chance on the then 26-year-old and spent many future assets to acquire the centerman. The Canucks GM sent two picks and a young prospect who never played in the NHL:
TO VANCOUVER
J.T. Miller
TO TAMPA BAY
Marek Mazanec
2019 3rd Round Selection (Hugo Alnefelt)
2020 1st Round Selection (Shakir Mhukamadullin)
From the moment Miller landed in Vancouver, he exploded. 72 points in 69 games his first year, 46 through 53 the following and then he entirely took his stride. 99 through 80, and last year, 82 through 81 games. He's an offensive force to be reckoned with, and now, through 5 games this year, he's already got 8 points.
Since coming to Vancouver, Miller occupies the 12th rank league-wide for the most points. He sits there among players like Kyle Connor, Mika Zibanejad, Brad Marchand, and Johnny Gaudreau, to name only four.
Miller's new contract kicked in on July 1. He'll be with the Canucks for the next seven seasons carrying an $8M cap hit.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Canucks won this trade? | ||
| Yes | 1388 | 89.7 % |
| No | 92 | 5.9 % |
| Can't tell now | 67 | 4.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
