Taking a look back at the trade that brought J.T. Miller to the Canucks

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Game Time Marc
September 9, 2023 (5:41 PM)

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The 2018-19 Canucks finished that season with a record of 35-36-11. The team had just had three tough years of rebuilding and there was a lot of promise for the upcoming 2019-20 season. The Canucks had a strong young core on that roster. Boeser, Pettersson, Hughes and Horvat were all under the age of 24. With the core in place, it was time for the team to make additional moves to bring in talent that would help make a playoff contender.

The Canucks were looking for another offensive weapon and they found their guy in J.T. Miller. Miller had been an excellent power forward for both the Rangers and Lightning. Despite Miller having a 47 point season, the Lightning were facing cap issues and had to deal him away.

The Trade

Canucks Aquired: J.T. Miller

Lightning Acquired: Marek Mazenec, a 2020 first-round pick (#20-Shakir Mukhamadullin), and a 2019 Third-round pick (#71-Hugo Alnefelt)

The then 26-year-old Miller was exactly what the Canucks needed. He helped the Canucks get back to the playoffs posting his first point-per-game season with 72 points in 69 games. He was also incredible in the playoffs scoring another 18 points in 17 games. The Canucks would lose in the second round that season. Including his inaugural season with the Canucks, Miller has played in 283 games recording 299 points, he has also been an assistant captain for the team for two seasons. While the offensive success has been apparent for Miller, the Canucks have not since made the playoffs. The now 30-year-old Miller will need to elevate his game to hopefully bring the Canucks back to the playoffs next season.

Marek Mazenec never played a game for the Lightning and has been playing in his home nation of Czechia since the trade. The 3rd-round pick in this trade was used on Hugo Alnefelt. Alnefelt has only played in 1 game for the Lightning. The 22-Year-old netminder played in 33 games last season with the Syracuse Crunch. The first round pick that turned into Shakir Mukhamadullin was moved along with Cal Foote in exchange for Blake Coleman.

Final Verdict: Both teams got what they needed. The Canucks added Miller, who is about to play his 5th season with the Canucks. He is far more valuable then anyone else in the trade. The Canucks have definitely gotten more value from this trade so far. The Lightning earned cap space that helped them create back-to back Stanley Cup winning teams. The Lightning were able to acquire Coleman, who was an important piece in both championships, using the pick the Canucks traded to them as well.