Centers The Canucks Should Be Targeting If They Make A Trade With The Rangers

While the NHL trade deadline is not for another two months, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves heavily involved in trade rumours. These rumours have come from multiple sources, with plenty of names both around the league and on the Canucks mentioned. Based on Jim Rutherford’s past, it is clear that Vancouver is going to make a move sooner rather than later, with a trade even potentially including a franchise cornerstone.

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One team consistently mentioned is the New York Rangers. Multiple media members, including Spittin’ Chiclets Paul Bissonnette, have indicated that the Rangers are interested in a reunion with Miller. Before making his way to Vancouver via the Tampa Bay Lightning, Miller played five and a half seasons with New York and was part of their 2015 team that made it within one game of a Stanley Cup berth.

While a trade involving Miller is complicated, there is some insight into what the Canucks would want back. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vancouver is looking for a center if they are going to move Miller or even Elias Pettersson. Using this information, here is a look at which Rangers centers the Canucks should be interested if they do deal Miller to their 1994 Stanley Cup rivals.

Mika Zibanejad

Mika Zibanejad makes sense, as his contract is similar to Miller’s. The only difference is that Zibanejad makes $0.5 million more per season, while Miller has one additional year. Both players also have no move clauses, which could create some problems. While their play styles aren’t necessarily identical, they are both used in matchup roles and can contribute to the power play and penalty kill.

The biggest question surrounding Zibanejad is how he will look near the end of his contract. The 31-year-old is signed for another five years and will be 37 when the contract expires. Zibanejad has also seen a decline in his point production this season, which could indicate potential regression over the next few seasons.

So far this season, no center on the Rangers has matched up against “elite competition” more than Zibanejad. PuckIQ has him at 164.7 minutes played against the opposition’s top players, with New York being outscored 7-6. While he is struggling this season, his analytics are also being impacted by his environment as the Rangers sit 14th in the Eastern Conference.

Vincent Trocheck

Another experienced shutdown center Vancouver could target is Vincent Trocheck. At 31, he has four years left on his contract, which carries an AAV of $5.625 million. Trocheck’s contract has a ten-team no-trade clause that will change to a six-team no-trade clause next season.

Trocheck ranks near the top of New York’s roster in terms of analytics. According to PuckIQ, he has played 156.6 minutes against “elite competition,” with the Rangers holding an 8-5 goal advantage. Trocheck has also had success on both the power play and penalty kill but, like Zibanejad, has seen a decrease in point production this season.

One of the underrated benefits of adding Trocheck is that he is one of the best faceoff takers in the entire NHL. He has won 60.4% of his 744 draws and sits at 54.4% on the penalty kill. With faceoffs being a significant problem for the Canucks this season, adding a player that can consistently dominate in the dot would bring substantial value to the lineup.

Filip Chytil

Filip Chytil is also an option if Vancouver prefers to add a younger player. The 25-year-old has two more years left on his contract and a cap hit of $4,437,500. Chytil also has a connection to the Canucks, as his representation is associated with CAA, who also represent Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and Tyler Myers.

Trading for Chytil is risky, as he has a history of injuries. He missed almost the entire 2023-24 season with a head injury and was out of the lineup for seven games this year with an upper-body injury. The good news, however, is that Chytil looks fully healed from whatever was ailing him and is on pace to play in over 70 games for the third time in his career.

When healthy, Chytil can be a difference maker. New York has outscored their opponents 19-13 at even strength when he is on the ice and 4-2 during his 101.3 minutes against “elite competition.” The biggest question with Chytil is whether he can develop into a second-line center and if he will be able to produce consistently against the other team’s top players.

In the end, if Vancouver does elect to trade with the Rangers, one of these players will most likely be part of the package. It is clear the Canucks do not intend to be sellers this season and are looking for players that can impact the lineup right away. While nothing is imminent, based on multiple reports, these two teams could be preparing to make a massive deal that will shake up both lineups.