Miller, defenseman Erik Brannstrom and blueline prospect Jackson Dorrington had been traded to New York. Going the opposite means is proficient (although injury-prone) middle Filip Chytil, hulking defensive prospect Victor Mancini and a top-13-protected 2025 first-round decide that, if it doesn’t convey, will change into unprotected in 2026.
Vancouver Grade: C
The drama surrounding Miller has been mentioned advert nauseum. His feud with fellow Canucks star Elias Pettersson has clearly impacted the workforce each on and off the ice. Workforce president Jim Rutherford successfully admitted defeat earlier this week when he informed Gary Mason of The Globe and Mail that “it actually seems like there’s not answer that might hold this group collectively.” Regardless of his expertise and manufacturing, shifting Miller might be a basic case of addition-by-subtraction.
Chytil will step proper into Miller’s top-six position. An excellent stickhandler, particularly when travelling by the impartial zone at tempo, the 25-year-old continues to be extra of a theoretical producer than a constant supply of offense. Solely as soon as, in 2023, has Chytil averaged greater than half some extent per sport. For a participant who doesn’t present a lot of a defensive presence, that’s an issue. That mentioned, he has been considerably constrained in New York as a third-line middle with little to no power-play time. With added accountability in Vancouver, he may thrive.
The first concern round buying Chytil is his historical past of concussions. He missed most of final season with a serious concussion, together with a scary episode at training when on the comeback path. Each time Chytil accelerates by the impartial zone, Rangers followers are equal components excited and frightened. At this level, each hit Chytil takes might be his final.
Mancini is an intriguing prospect, the 22-year-old made his NHL debut on opening night time, showing in 15 video games for New York. At 6-foot-3, he’s a giant unit who likes to throw a giant hit once in a while, and he skates moderately effectively. He had 5 factors in his 15 video games, however he possible doesn’t undertaking as a difference-maker offensively.
The decide Vancouver acquires is clearly a boon. The protections merely defend the Rangers in the event that they’re unable to rescue their season.
New York grade: B
On the ice, Miller is a transparent improve on Chytil, with 4 seasons at greater than some extent per sport for Vancouver. He broke the 100-point threshold final season (at a +32 for good measure) after ending on 99 factors in 2022. He’s a three-time 30 aim scorer with a knack for burying game-winners, having scored a fair 50 over his NHL profession. He’s additionally wonderful within the faceoff circle — an space the place Chytil struggles — giving New York a second faceoff ace alongside Vincent Trocheck. Miller has centered Rangers veteran Chris Kreider prior to now and the membership will probably be hoping that they will regenerate the chemistry that they had near a decade in the past.
An infamously prickly character, Miller’s presence within the dressing room may mild a hearth beneath a bunch that hasn’t demonstrated a lot resilience this season. He may additionally rapidly alienate a notoriously fickle group.
Miller’s acquisition may additionally give the Rangers license to maneuver on from Mika Zibanejad, who has, to place it kindly, skilled an inconsistent marketing campaign.
Brannstrom is an impressive skater on the blueline. He can transfer the puck and quarterback an influence play. That mentioned, it by no means actually occurred for him in Ottawa, and he has already worn out his welcome in simply half a season in Vancouver. He doesn’t provide an entire lot defensively, exterior of restoration pace. Given the Rangers have discovered latest success in restoring the repute of fringe defenders in Will Borgen and Urho Vaakanainen, maybe basic supervisor Chris Drury is completely happy to go to that effectively yet one more time. His presence makes the underappreciated Zac Jones expendable.
Dorrington is an inexpensive prospect, however he doesn’t have that singular ability that he can grasp his hat on on the NHL stage. At this level, he initiatives as a jack-of-all-trades, third-pairing defenseman.
